WHO Sets New Standards of Safe Listening
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion young people, ages 12 to 35, are at risk of losing their hearing due to unsafe listening practices. Left unaddressed, this could have devastating consequences for their health, education and employment. Because of this, the WHO has issued a new international standard for safe listening…
How is Unilateral Hearing Loss Treatment Different from Binaural Hearing Loss?
Some people experience hearing loss in one ear instead of two. This is referred to as unilateral hearing loss or single-sided deafness (SSD) depending on the severity. It’s a condition that poses its own set of challenges and sometimes requires different treatment from binaural hearing loss. What Causes Hearing Loss in One Ear? There are…
How Autoimmune Diseases May Play a Role in Your Hearing Health
Hearing loss isn’t just linked to old age and noise exposure; research shows that underlying conditions including autoimmune diseases are also linked to hearing loss. We review the connection below. What Are Autoimmune Diseases? The immune system’s job is to protect your body from diseases, viruses and infections. However, sometimes the immune system incorrectly identifies…
Study Finds Unexpected Brain Shrinkage in Patients with Hearing Loss
A new study may offer further insight into the connection between hearing loss and dementia. Hearing Loss Associated with Changes in Brain The study, from The Carle Illinois College of Medicine, analyzed data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. Researchers compared MRIs of people…
Hearing Loss Isn’t an All or Nothing Condition
When discussing hearing loss, it’s important to remember the complexity of each individual’s experience. Limits of Classification Hearing loss can be classified as mild, moderate, severe or profound. These distinctions can be helpful from a medical standpoint. However, they don’t fully encapsulate a person’s experience. People with mild to moderate hearing loss may view themselves…
Anemia & Hearing Health: Is There a Connection?
Hearing loss has been linked to a number of health conditions, including anxiety, depression, balance problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia. A growing body of evidence indicates that hearing loss may be connected to iron-deficiency anemia as well. We explore this link below. What the Research Shows Researchers at the Pennsylvania State University College of…
Slipping Up: How Hearing Loss Affects Safety
When you think of the consequences of untreated hearing loss, you probably think of the social aspects like trouble following conversations and frequently mishearing people. But did you know that untreated hearing loss can also impact your safety? One study uncovered the extent of this risk. About the Study The study was published in JAMA…
How Nighttime Noise Can Affect Your Health
It can be frustrating when you’re woken up by your neighbors’ barking dog or an ambulance rushing to Sentara Hampton Roads CarePlex. But did you know that even sounds that don’t wake you up can impact your sleep, and therefore your health? Noise & the Sleep Cycle When you fall asleep at night, you cycle…
Is Technology Harming Your Hearing?
While today’s state-of-the-art technology has amazing benefits, it’s still worth taking the time to consider whether it can be dangerous. Unfortunately, experts believe technology can be harmful to our hearing – specifically, continuous use of headphones while listening to music, stream movies and play video games. How Loud Is Too Loud? Sounds are measured in…
How Does Hearing Loss Impact Relationships?
The 48 million Americans with hearing loss know that the condition affects many areas of one’s life, not just hearing. Research shows that hearing loss can be a major source of stress for couples, especially those where one person is hard of hearing and one isn’t. This is likely due to a combination of factors…