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
muffled speech from others, difficulty understanding words, frequently
asking 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 noiseinduced hearing loss and to avoid age-related hearing loss. Be sure
to wear protective earmuffs if you work in a loud environment or if
you are hunting, going to concerts or doing other loud activities for
an extended period of time. It is also important to have your hearing
tested on a regular basis. Early detection is key to preventing complete
hearing loss.
Mouth Health
Your mouth can tell a lot about your overall health. Investing in your
oral health is also investing in your general health. There are several
conditions that are linked to oral health including endocarditis and
cardiovascular disease. When bacteria from your mouth, or other parts
of your body, spread through your bloodstream they can attach to your
heart, causing an infection in the inner lining, also called endocarditis.
Research suggests that poor oral health is linked to clogged arteries and
stroke as well.
Keeping tabs on your oral health is critical for warding off bad breath
and poor health. It is important to brush at least twice a day, floss, eat a
healthy die