36
&
May 2015 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
Hearing Loss Affects
Many
Numerous causes responsible
for this major health issue
By Jean Jeffers, Staff Writer
Sound is important in communication. It allows us to understand our
world and relate to one another.
“Sound represents vibrational
energy,” said audiologist Dr. Shawna
Lee. “Sound is represented in waves
with high tones and low tones.”
The ear, Lee explained, is composed of the outer ear, which is made
of skin and cartilage, and the ear
canal, which leads to the tympanic
membrane (eardrum). On the other
side of the tympanic membrane is
the middle ear, which is composed of
three very small bones: the malleus,
the incus and the stapes.
When sound enters the ear as
vibration, it goes through the outer
ear to the ear drum, which vibrates
and transfers these vibrations to the
three small bones. They magnify
sound before it enters the inner ear.
In the inner ear is the vestibular
system, which is responsible for helping maintain balance, and the cochlea,
which is the hearing portion of the
inner ear. Also in the inner ear is a
highly sensitive hearing organ called
the organ of Corti. Hair cells here
translate mechanical vibrations in the
outer, middle and inner ear into nerve
impulses that reach the brain and
allow for hearing. The hair cells also
contact nerve fibers that send return
messages from the brain to the inner
ear and back. For a more complete
explanation of the anatomy of the ear,
consult your audiologist.
Hearing loss may be caused by having something mechanical in the way,
such as ear wax. When it is removed,
the patient may hear once again. Or,
as usually is the case, the hearing loss
could be due to the degeneration of
the hair cells in the organ of Corti,
resulting in damage that prevents a
reasonable degree of hearing ability.
It could also be caused by infection,
excessive noise pollution, certain
drugs, accidents or disease.
About 20 percent of adults in the
United States (48 million people)
report some degree of hearing loss.
It is a major public health issue.
Advanced age is the most common cause of hearing loss. After age
75, hearing loss occurs in one out
of every two individuals. Hearing
loss cannot be reversed, but hearing and one’s quality of life can be
greatly improved by wearing a hearing aid. According to the National
Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders (www.
nidcd.nih.gov), hearing loss should be
suspected if:
• you have a problem hearing over
the telephone;
• you have to strain to understand
conversations;
• you have to ask others to repeat
themselves;
• others complain about the loudness of the TV or radio; or
• you have difficulty following the
conversation when two or more
people are talking.
You should call your doctor if:
• hearing loss occurs with an injury
to the head or ear or if it occurs
Like us
@healthykentucky
suddenly with other symptoms,
such as eye problems, slurred
speech or difficulty standing;
• you think ear wax or medications
may be affecting hearing;
• there is hearing loss after you
have had a cold or traveled in a
plane; or
• your hearing is getting worse or if
you wonder if you need hearing
aids.
About the Author
Jean Jeffers is an RN and freelance writer. She is a staff writer for Living Well
50Plus and its sister publication, Health
& Wellness Magazine, writes for Today’s
Christian in the Mature Years and has
been published in Diabetes Health.
About 20 percent of
adults in the United
States (48 million
people) report some
degree of hearing
loss.
Are You Injured?
Are You Disabled?
WE