Tag: hearing

Hearing loss in senior citizens due to aging is called presbycusis. It is the decrease of hearing that is caused by aging naturally.

As a senior, it may be hard to notice, as it progresses slowly over time. Hearing loss caused by old age mostly attacks the two ears.

It all starts by not hearing or detecting high-frequency sound. This would make it difficult to hear a speech when there is background noise present. This post will look at ways hearing loss can be prevented in old age.

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What Causes Hearing Loss in Seniors?

Hearing loss in seniors is caused by different reasons, and it may be difficult to connect it to one. Certain genes may determine whether age related loss of hearing will occur, how severe it will be and at what age.

Medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure may also contribute to age related loss of hearing. There are also some negative effects from medications such as chemotherapy drugs. Lifestyle factors such as being exposed to loud noise, smoking, exposure to heavy metals like lead and mercury can worsen hearing loss.

Hearing Loss Prevention

It can be challenging to completely prevent hearing loss. However, there are a few steps you can take to protect your ears and prevent damage from toxic noise.

Loud noise can worsen age related hearing loss, and make it occur at a young age. If your ears get damaged by loud noise, you could get help by wearing hearing aid in one ear or both. Take the following steps to protect your ears from loss of hearing:

• Always avoid loud noises
• Listen to headphones on low volume
• Keep your ears clean
• Regular visits to your doctor

Avoid Loud Noise

If a member of your family is listening to music, watching television or playing video games, it is wise to adjust the volume on the device. It does not matter if the person is using earbuds or headphones. He/she risks developing hearing loss at a faster rate if the volume is high. Remember to always turn the volume down once the earbuds or headphones are plugged in the smartphone or computer.

Clean Your Ears

Naturally, wax builds up in your ears if your hygiene is poor, this can lead to hearing loss. Ensure members of your family do not clean their ears using cotton swabs, they can push the wax deeper in the ears.

A home irrigation kit is recommended for removing wax from your ears at home. The irrigation kits make it easier for wax removal by softening it. However, if the wax is compacted in the ear, that person needs to consult a doctor and get it removed.

Visit Your Doctor Regularly

You can visit your doctor regularly if you want to prevent hearing loss. The doctor will perform a hearing test using an audiogram. This test is the baseline that can determine if you have hearing loss. Your doctor can detect hearing loss early on and recommend options for treatment.

Endnote

Old age hearing loss can be prevented or controlled by practicing and implementing the above steps. Avoiding loud noise at all places, visiting your doctor and good hygiene is crucial to seniors.

If hearing loss has started to creep into your life, it can also be slowed down and you can always use hearing aid to help you out.

If you think your baby might be suffering from hearing loss, it is important to get them checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

Many parents are unsure of how to tell if their baby is having trouble hearing, so we have put together a list of ways that you can determine if there might be a problem.

Keep in mind that not all babies with hearing loss will exhibit all these symptoms, so if you are concerned, it is best to consult a medical professional or visit Hear & Say for a hearing test. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of hearing loss in babies.

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Hearing Loss in Babies

While it’s true that babies can develop hearing problems at any age, it’s most common for babies to be born with hearing loss or develop it in the first few months after birth.

However, it can be very difficult to tell if a baby has hearing loss since they cannot communicate with us the way that older children and adults can. As a result, parents and medical professionals have to look for other ways to determine if a baby might be suffering from hearing loss.

There are many different causes of hearing loss in babies, including:

Congenital (Present at Birth) Abnormalities

One of the causes of hearing loss in babies is congenital abnormalities. These are conditions that are present at birth and can affect the development of the inner ear, auditory nerve, or middle ear. Some congenital abnormalities that can cause hearing loss include:

• Cysts
• Tumors
• Malformations of the outer ear

Infections & Diseases

There are also a number of infections and diseases that can cause hearing loss in babies. These include:

• Meningitis
• Rubella (German measles)
• Syphilis
• HIV/AIDS

These diseases and infections can affect the baby directly or be passed down from the mother. In some cases, hearing loss can also be caused by certain medications that are used to treat these diseases.

Trauma

Hearing loss can also be caused by trauma to the head or ear. This can occur before or after birth and can be the result of:

• A difficult delivery
• A blow to the head
• Exposure to loud noise

All of these can damage the delicate structures of the ear and lead to hearing loss.

Prematurity & Low Birth Weight

Another common cause of hearing loss in babies is prematurity or low birth weight. Babies who are born early or weigh less than five pounds at birth are at a higher risk for developing hearing problems. This is because the ear structures of these babies are often not fully developed, and they may be more susceptible to infection and disease.

If you think your baby might have hearing loss, it is important to get them checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Early intervention is essential for babies with hearing loss, and the sooner you get started, the better.

Ways To Tell if Your Baby Has Hearing Loss or Not

If you’re concerned that your baby may have hearing loss, there are some ways to tell. Watch for these signs and consult your baby’s doctor if you have any concerns.

1. Doesn’t Startle at Loud Noises

Babies are born with a natural reflex to startle at loud noises. If your baby doesn’t seem to react to sudden, loud sounds, it could be a sign of hearing loss.

2. Not Turning Toward the Direction of Sound

Another way to tell if your baby may have hearing loss is if they don’t turn their head or eyes in the direction of sound. All babies will eventually outgrow this, but if it persists beyond a few months, it could be cause for concern.

3. Doesn’t Babble or Make Cooing Sounds by Four Months

Babbling is another way to tell if your baby may have hearing loss. All babies start babbling around four months old. If your baby isn’t babbling by this age, it could be a sign that they can’t hear well.

4. Doesn’t Say Simple Words by One Year

If your baby isn’t saying simple words like “mama” or “dada” by their first birthday, it could be a sign of hearing loss. Most babies start speaking around six months old, so if yours isn’t, it’s worth investigating.

5. Not Responding to Your Voice

If your baby doesn’t seem to respond when you call their name or talk to them, it could be a sign of hearing loss. All babies will eventually learn to respond to their name, so if yours isn’t, it’s worth checking out.

These are just some ways to tell if your baby may have hearing loss. If you’re concerned, the best thing to do is consult your baby’s doctor. They can help you determine if there is a problem and what the next steps are.

Bottom Line

Hearing loss in babies can be hard to detect. If you think your baby may have a hearing problem, talk to your pediatrician. This way, you can get your baby the help he or she needs as soon as possible.

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