Strange Causes of Hearing Loss

Most people are aware that hearing loss becomes more prevalent with age – in fact, age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss amongst adults aged 20-69. Some people may also know that exposure to noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Recent research has actually suggested it is the second most common cause behind age-related hearing loss.

There are, however, several other causes of hearing loss that may strike people as a little strange! These causes of hearing loss may be less well known, but they are still very important – especially if any of them are conditions that affect you or are behaviors that you have adopted into your daily lives.

Smoking – and second-hand smoke – can significantly raise the risk of hearing loss

According to a study that included over 3,500 people, smokers are nearly 70% more likely than non-smokers to experience hearing loss. In addition, the risk of hearing loss appeared to increase with the amount a person smoked, with heavy smokers being most at risk of hearing loss in every age group except the oldest.

Exposure to second-hand smoke may also raise the risk of hearing loss. Consistent exposure is thought to raise the risk by one-third! Researchers point to the chemicals located within cigarette smoke such as formaldehyde, arsenic and hydrogen cyanide. It is thought that these chemicals may be the source of damaging hair cells within the inner ear, which are the transmitters of sound to the brain. When these cells are damaged, hearing loss results.

It should be emphasized that this study cannot be considered conclusive. A more recent study conducted by the University of Wisconsin at Madison found no correlation between smoking and hearing loss after comparing smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers.

Nevertheless, there are many health-related reasons to quit smoking, or to ensure that you are not frequently exposed to second-hand smoke – the potential impact upon your hearing health is just one more to add to the list!

High blood pressure can impact hearing loss, but there are ways to prevent it 

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects about 1 in 3 Americans (approximately 75 million of us)! That high rate is a little worrying, so a recent study indicating that high blood pressure may cause hearing loss definitely set off some alarm bells. It is said to specifically affect adults aged 45 to 64, because researchers  believe that hypertension accelerates hearing loss that already occurs naturally through the aging process. This makes symptoms appear sooner than normally expected, and to a more severe degree.

The good news is that, with the right medication, high blood pressure – and its side effects – can be managed. Early intervention is key, both to managing hypertension and to preventing hearing loss. If you know or think that you may have high blood pressure, it is important to tell your audiologist and to make sure that you are getting regular check-ups.

A little-known side effect of diabetes

According to a recent study, hearing loss is more than twice as common in people who have diabetes when compared to those without it.

Considering more than 29 million Americans live with diabetes, and a further 86 million are currently living with prediabetes, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, this study has far-reaching implications. As with hypertension, however, those individuals experiencing diabetes can minimize associated hearing damage by actively managing their diabetes and taking steps to keep it under control.

If you have diabetes, you should share this information with your audiologist, and be sure to keep a watchful eye on your hearing health. If you start to hear ringing in your ears or you notice that you are having difficulties hearing, you should contact your audiologist straight away.

Other strange causes of hearing loss

Airbags: While airbags are obviously essential in every car and can clearly save lives, they may have an unforeseen side effect. Several studies have suggested that a significant percentage (17-20%) of people who have been involved in car accidents where airbags have been deployed have experienced damage to their hearing. That said, no one is suggesting disabling the airbags in your car! It may be worth checking in with your audiologist if you do find yourself in an accident though.

Shingles: A common ailment occurring in people aged 60 and over – but something that can affect younger generations too – shingles can also affect the ear through Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This condition can cause severe hearing loss in the affected ear, but early intervention can prevent damage from occurring.

Measles: Ear infections can cause damage leading to hearing loss, and are a common complication of measles, occurring in about one of ten cases.

If you are experiencing any of these conditions, or have had the unfortunate experience of recently being in a car accident, it is a good idea to contact your audiologist, or set up an appointment for a hearing test if you have never been to an audiologist before.

Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services

You don’t have to live with untreated hearing loss. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our audiologists.

Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services – (949) 364-4361