Hearing is a critical component of experiencing our everyday lives and fostering meaningful connections. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about “15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.”
There are three main types of hearing loss that affect different areas of the hearing system. Conductive hearing loss affects the outer and middle ear, sensorineural hearing loss affects the inner ear, and mixed hearing loss is a mixture of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The type of hearing loss a person has is very important, as the frequencies affected and the severity of loss significantly impacts their communication abilities and understanding of speech sounds.
Here are several tips to help maintain your hearing health:
- Don’t put sharp, small, or dirty objects in your ears
- Use hearing protection in loud environments
- Be aware that some medications can cause hearing loss
- Be careful when changing altitudes quicky (like when in an airplane). Swallow and yawn to equalize the pressure in your ears.
Photo credit: pexels.com