Did you have your hearing tested during your last annual exam?
Most doctors do not provide routine hearing screenings as part of an annual physical exam. However, the link between your hearing health and overall health is so strong that many people are rethinking skipping over this often overlooked part of your health.
Hearing Loss Can Lead to Depression
Uncorrected hearing loss gives rise to poorer quality of life, isolation and reduced social activity, leading to depression.
A Healthier Heart Could Lead to Better Hearing
Studies show that a healthy cardiovascular system – a person’s heart, arteries and veins – has a positive effect on hearing. The inner ear is extremely sensitive to blood flow. Inadequate blood flow and trauma to the blood vessels of the inner ear can contribute to hearing loss.
Poor Hearing Can Lead to a Decline in Cognitive Abilities
Those with hearing loss experience a 30 – 40% greater decline in thinking abilities compared to those without hearing loss.
High Blood Pressure Can Accelerate Hearing Loss
There is a significant association between high blood pressure and hearing loss. Hypertension can be an accelerating factor of hearing loss in older adults.
Smokers Have a Higher Risk of Hearing Loss
Current smokers have a 70% higher risk of having hearing loss than nonsmokers.
Read the Label Carefully
There are more than 200 medications on the market today that are known to cause hearing loss. This is called ototoxicity (toxic to the ears).
The list of known ototoxic drugs includes:
• Aspirin
• Quinine
• Water Pills
• Certain antibiotics
• Some anticancer drugs
• Some anesthetics
• Environmental chemicals like carbon monoxide, hexane and mercury.
Untreated Hearing Loss Can Contribute to Feelings of Isolation
Adults 50 and older with untreated hearing loss are more likely to report anxiety, anger and frustration, emotional instability and paranoia; than those who wear hearing aids.
If you think you or a loved one has hearing loss, please call our office today to see how we can help.