HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
of vitamins and minerals that can slow
the progression of the disease. Therapy
and surgery can also be considered for
types of advanced neovascular AMD,
which typically results in severe vision
loss, to stop further progression.
Hearing Loss and Prevention
It is common for hearing loss to occur
as you age. According to the Mayo Clinic,
about 25 percent of people in the United
States between the ages of 55 and 64 have
some degree of hearing loss, increasing
to one in two people by age 65 and
older. Chronic exposure to loud noises
and aging are the two main causes of
hearing loss, resulting in the perception
of muffled speech from others, difficulty
understanding words, frequent requests
for others to repeat themselves, loud
volume on the television or radio, and
avoidance of social settings.
Hearing loss occurs when there is
damage to the inner ear, infection in
the ear, or ruptured eardrum. Damage
to the inner ear can happen with age, or
constant exposure to loud noises over
an extended period of time. These cause
wear on the nerve cells in the cochlea
that send sound to the brain. When they
are damaged, signals aren’t transmitted
as effectively, causing loss of hearing.
Heredity, aging, occupational and
recreational noises, some medications,
and some illnesses may cause either
partial or full hearing loss, but there are
ways to treat hearing loss. Treatment can
include surgical procedures, hearing aids,
or cochlear implants.
Preventive measures can also be taken
to protect against noise-induced hearing
loss and to avoid age-related hearing loss.
Be sure to wear protective earmuffs if
you work in a loud environment or are
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MONROEVILLE
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