We all have our vices. But are yours affecting your hearing health? Below we review four habits to quit for the benefit of your auditory system.
Smoking
The sensory hair cells within the inner ears that convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound rely on a healthy supply of oxygen from the blood in order to function. Nicotine restricts blood flow to the inner ears, depriving the cells of oxygen and causing them to die. Once dead, the cells do not regenerate. Permanent sensorineural hearing loss is the result.
Not only can this affect you, but also the ones you love the most. One study found that adolescents who were exposed to secondhand smoke were nearly twice as likely to suffer from low-frequency hearing loss compared to those who had no exposure.
Vaping
Many people believe that vaping is a safer alternative to cigarettes, but even vapes and e-cigarettes contain nicotine that has the same effect on the sensory hair cells.
In addition, the flavoring fluids, AKA “e-juices,” contain hundreds of chemicals with unknown long-term side effects. At least one of these chemicals, propylene glycol, has been linked to sudden hearing loss.
Heavy Drinking
You probably already know that heavy drinking can wreak havoc on your liver, but what about your hearing? There are several effects that drinking can have on your auditory system:
- Alcohol can interfere with the brain’s ability to interpret sound, especially those in the lower frequencies.
- Alcohol creates a toxic environment within the inner ear that can lead to cell damage.
- Alcohol can shrink the central auditory cortex of the brain in those who drink excessively.
If you’re having trouble cutting down on or quitting drinking, you can contact the Atlanta AA.
Ignoring Your Hearing Loss
The longer you wait to address your hearing loss, the harder it will be to treat. The reason for this is twofold: 1. Hearing loss is a progressive condition, meaning it will likely only get worse over time. 2. The longer your brain goes without hearing sounds, the harder it will be for it to acclimate to all the sounds around you once you do seek treatment.
In addition, avoiding treating your hearing loss puts you at risk of cognitive decline, including dementia. One study by Johns Hopkins found that mild, moderate and severe hearing loss are associated with twofold, threefold and fivefold risk of developing dementia, respectively. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Advanced Hearing today.