Close to 40 million American adults have hearing loss, making it one of the most common health concerns people face, according to the NIH. Hearing loss can creep up on you gradually, stealing your hearing in such small increments you suddenly find yourself straining to understand conversation and missing some of your favorite sounds. In many cases, [...]
According to a large study published in JAMA Network Open this past July, hearing loss in middle age was found to be associated with higher odds of cognitive decline and dementia later in life. Using data from more than 16,000 men and women, researchers found that a new diagnosis of hearing loss between ages 45 [...]
Some risk factors for hearing loss are understandable—think aging, excessive noise exposure, or traumatic brain injury—but other risks aren’t always so obvious. Here are seven unexpected risk factors for hearing loss that may surprise you: 1. Sleep apnea Several studies published in the last few years have strongly linked sleep apnea to hearing loss. Medical professionals aren’t entirely [...]
If you or a loved one has suddenly developed hearing loss, see your doctor right away. While often downplayed as not serious, any new or sudden hearing loss should be taken seriously by both you and your healthcare providers. Why? The sooner you get a thorough audiological workup, the better your chances are for a [...]