Tinnitus and hearing loss are on the rise, and researchers are attempting to prove that stress is one cause of partial deafness, high to low frequency hearing loss and tinnitus.
Scientists agree that many of the symptoms of tinnitus, the characteristic buzzing or high pitch ringing noise in the ears, are often age-related or a result of overexposure to dangerously high noise decibels. New research has been presented that secondhand smoke (passive smoking) might also be a cause for tinnitus, hearing loss and ear infections among children. Scientists concede that half of all cases of hearing impairment are preventable.
Another theory which some scientists believe is that stress, the common denominator in all illness, might also play a factor in causing hearing loss and tinnitus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a report stating that 80% of all individuals who have a hearing impairment live in low-income to middle-income living areas in developing countries. Researchers conducted a study to prove a link between stress levels in less affluent countries and escalating cases of hearing-related disorders such as tinnitus.
- Researchers in Sweden conducted a 120-question survey designed to determine the impact of stress on one’s health.
- Participants answered questions about their physical and psychosocial work environment, home environment, physical health and mental health.
- Participants were also questioned about the symptoms of tinnitus, such as continuous ringing in the ears, and their ability to hear and carry out conversations.
- Scientists found a direct correlation between stress and hearing ability; the participants who suffered the most stress were more likely to become ill, have difficulty sleeping and suffer hearing-related illnesses such as partial deafness and tinnitus.
- Women were just as likely to suffer from stress-induced hearing loss as men.
- Scientists also noted a direct correlation between high stress and lower tolerance to infections, another possible cause of tinnitus.
Read Finding Tranquility with Tinnitus: Relax the Mind
If you think you might be suffering from tinnitus or any other hearing impairment, a visit to an audiologist or ENT is necessary in order to prevent any further damage.
For more information about preventing tinnitus and hearing loss, read:
Gear Up to Prevent Hearing Loss: Five Things you Should Buy Now
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Hearing loss and tinnitus are on the rise; recent studies have even pointed to an epidemic of hearing loss in the younger generation.
What are the main causes of hearing loss and tinnitus? In many cases, partial deafness or tinnitus is age-related, but increasingly more people are losing their hearing because of ear damage caused by loud work environments, unhealthy earbud volume, secondhand smoke, frequent motorcycle usage and military service.
Listed are 5 products which will help protect your ears, including noise-isolating volume control earphones, earplugs and even a noise reducing motorcycle helmet.
Ultimate Ears Loud Enough Noise-Isolating Earphones by Logitech
Wearing safe volume control earbuds doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your cool- chillax and listen to your favorite tunes with these stylish in-ear earbuds, in your choice of colors- mint, blueberry or plum. Cuts noise decibels by 40%, so your ears are protected from hearing loss or tinnitus. Comes in a pocket-sized carrying case and include three sizes of silicone earbud tips, including extra small for kids.
Maxell Kids Safe 4 in 1 Headphones or Ear Clips
These ultra safe headphone and ear clips are marketed for the tween crowd; styles include funky M&Ms foldable overhead earphones, or easy-wear ear clip headphones- both feature interchangeable colored ear caps and are safe for little ears.
Windjammer II Helmet Wind Blocker
Motorcycle noise is a common cause of hearing loss and tinnitus; frequent bikers are highly advised to get a noise reducing helmet like the Windjammer II, which protects your ears from outside noise while still allowing adequate venting for fresh air flow.
MOLDEX Hearing Protection Band, Corded
If you work in a noisy environment, then you don’t want to be without your earplugs; numerous studies have proven an excessively high correlation between dangerously loud work environments and total to partial hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms; musicians, actors, stunt men, job shop workers and individuals serving in the air force or the army are at particular risk. Health experts strongly advice wearing adequate ear protection such as the Moldex hearing band with attached ear plugs for protection from hearing loss or tinnitus.
Peltor Disposable/Corded Plugs
These disposable earplugs are comfortable and come in a box of 150; the attached cord means you won’t lose them on the job site or the road. Designed to fit most ear canal sizes, they’re made of ultra-soft foam.
As we now know, the most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud sound which damages the ears. This may occur over an extended period of time or after just one particular experience with excessive noise. However, previously excessive noise exposure was a hazard of a few particular jobs, nowadays anyone with a pair of headphones/earphones and a mp3/cd player can become affected by sounds which are too loud for the ear. Although earphone and headphone makers design the items not to damage the physical structure of the ear, they are restricted from controlling the level of sound output, which is often the culprit in emerging tinnitus. Some manufacturers of portable music devices have attempted to introduce safety circuitry that limited output volume or warned the user when dangerous volume was being used, but the concept has been rejected by most of the buying public, which favors the personal choice of high volume. Koss introduced the “Safelite” line of cassette players in 1983 with such a warning light. The line was discontinued two years later for lack of interest
Most commonly tinnitus appears after prolonged and extreme overuse – such as listening to music for 5-8 hours a day at the loudest settings, although for some just a single blast of noise is enough to damage the ear, causing hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms. It is suggested that if earphones are used the time exposed to sound should be limited to 1 hour a day to protect hearing.
Doctors do suggest using headphones instead of earphones when possible as most earphones do not block out background noise, often pompting the user to turn up the volume. Those earphones that insert into the ear cannal can be even worse. “Insert earphones can boost the signal by as much as six to nine decibels. That’s about the difference between the sound of a vacuum cleaner and a motorcycle” – Dean Garstecki
Doctors also suggest that if you expect to visit an area where you will be exposed to prolonged loud sounds, like a concert or a construction site, you should equip yourself accordingly. The best way to do this is with use of earplugs and ear-muffs. There is a wide variety of these available on the market, offering different levels of protection which will block out excessive noise and prevent hearing loss. Protect your ears today so they may serve you well tomorrow.
