For many, New Year’s resolutions may already be falling by the wayside. But don’t worry if you haven’t started that novel or made it to the gym every day, you still have plenty of time to make positive changes. A great way to begin is by eliminating habits that could be damaging your hearing.
Here are a few common habits linked to hearing loss:
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Drinking large amounts of alcohol can negatively affect your brain’s ability to process low-frequency sounds. Research has shown that heavy alcohol use can damage the central auditory cortex, which is responsible for sound interpretation. This can lead to slower sound processing, making it difficult to differentiate voices, especially in noisy environments like restaurants or gatherings.
Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking doesn’t just harm your lungs—it also affects your hearing, as well as the hearing of those around you.
Nicotine in cigarettes restricts blood flow, which is essential for the tiny hair cells in your inner ear to function properly. Without sufficient blood flow, these hair cells can die, resulting in permanent hearing loss.
Secondhand smoke also poses a risk to hearing health. Studies have found that children exposed to secondhand smoke are twice as likely to experience low-frequency hearing loss compared to those who aren’t exposed.
And it’s not just traditional cigarettes—vaping poses a similar threat. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals, which can be just as dangerous to your hearing.
Ignoring Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is often a slow process that may go unnoticed in its early stages. Over time, you may realize that sounds you once heard easily, like conversations at a dinner party or the hum of your home appliances, become harder to detect.
Delaying treatment for hearing loss can have long-term consequences for your health. If you notice signs of hearing difficulty, it’s important to consult an audiologist right away.
Whether you’re looking to quit smoking, cut back on drinking, or address your hearing loss, there are support groups like New Start Recovery Solutions to help. For more information on hearing loss treatments or to schedule an appointment with a specialist, reach out to Certified Hearing Aid Consultants today.