Myths or Facts About Hearing
Many of us have heard various claims and myths about hearing and our ears throughout our lives, but what is actually true? Here are some myths and facts about hearing, along with links to previous articles we have published on various hearing-related topics. (cdc.gov)
Only older people experience hearing loss: Myth!
Hearing loss can affect people of all ages. Loud music, sudden exposure to noise, headphones, or congenital causes can mean that children and young people can also experience hearing loss.
Earplugs damage your hearing: Myth!
When used correctly, earplugs designed for hearing protection help protect your hearing. However, it is important to keep your ears clean and dry, as prolonged use of earplugs can contribute to earwax buildup or moisture-related irritation of the ear canal in some people. (nidcd.nih.gov)
Noise can cause physical pain and discomfort. Fact!
Noise can cause physical discomfort in the form of muscle stiffness and tension. In addition to increased feelings of stress, elevated blood pressure and hearing loss are also common consequences.
Untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia: Fact!
The Trøndelag Health Study clearly shows that untreated hearing loss over time can increase the risk of earlier development of cognitive decline and dementia. Hearing loss may be associated with up to a 36% greater risk of dementia. Reduced hearing can affect both social and mental health, and both may influence the risk of dementia. Research also suggests that actively using hearing aids after hearing loss has been diagnosed may help reduce the risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline.
You can always tell when sound or noise is harmful: Myth!
Harmful noise does not necessarily cause pain. Sound levels that can damage your hearing may not feel harmful at the moment you are exposed to them. Often, it is prolonged exposure to loud sounds over time that eventually leads to hearing loss.
Tinnitus can be experienced differently from person to person. The type of sound perceived can vary greatly, even for the same individual. Most people report a high-pitched ringing, but other variations include hissing, buzzing, pulsing waves, low-frequency humming, sounds similar to waves or rain, and more. (who.int)
There are different types of earplugs designed for different needs, whether it’s for concerts, sleeping, swimming, work-related noise, motorcycling, flying, etc. Different earplugs provide different levels and types of attenuation and are designed to address the specific sounds that may be harmful in a given situation. (ITU)
Early assessment can help with prevention, raise awareness, and detect changes over time, allowing you to take appropriate measures and consider your future exposure to noise. It’s always useful to have an overview of your own hearing health.
For most people, hearing loss is not something that happens overnight. Instead, it is usually a combination of natural age-related hearing decline and exposure to loud sounds, both occasional and over longer periods of time. However, a minority of people experience “Sudden Deafness”, where they develop a sudden reduction or loss of hearing for various, and sometimes unknown, reasons.
Unilateral hearing loss doesn’t matter: Myth!
Unilateral hearing loss can have a significant impact. Even with one healthy ear, the condition can cause major challenges. The brain has to work harder to determine where sounds are coming from (sound localization), and following conversations in noisy environments can often be very tiring. There are several good solutions that can provide the brain with better access to sound from both sides, including CROS hearing aids from various manufacturers.
Everyone experiences sound differently: Fact!
Specific sounds, different acoustic environments, and combinations of sounds can all be experienced differently. This is related to how the brain receives, processes, and interprets the sounds we hear. Some people are particularly sensitive to certain sounds or frequencies, while associations and individual preferences also influence how we experience sound.
Earwax is, in itself, a completely natural lubricating substance produced by the body to protect the ear canal from bacteria and dirt, while also preventing it from drying out. Normally, the body takes care of earwax naturally: it either warms up from body temperature and gradually works its way out of the ear, or it dries out and naturally falls out, for example during the night while we sleep.
However, many people can experience problems with earwax. This happens when wax builds up and blocks the ear canal, preventing air and sound waves from passing through properly.
Those who struggle with excessive earwax should have it removed and may benefit from preventive measures. Oil-based earwax treatments purchased from a pharmacy are generally the best option, along with, when necessary, manual removal by a GP, audiologist, or another professional with appropriate expertise in earwax removal.
Cotton swabs can stimulate further wax production because they both dry out and irritate the ear canals, and in most cases they will only make the problem worse. In addition, attempting to remove earwax with cotton swabs can push the wax further into the ear canal and pack it into a compact blockage.
In most cases, hearing damage is caused by permanent damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, and these cells cannot grow back. Many people also think that hearing aids will restore their hearing to “normal”, but unfortunately, this is not the case.
Hearing aids are an extremely valuable and important tool for helping to preserve residual hearing and provide amplification in the frequency ranges affected by the hearing loss. However, for most people, amplified sound initially—or in some cases persistently—sounds more metallic and artificial than the “normal” sound they are used to hearing.
Did you know these things?
Do you have any other myths or claims that you’re unsure are true or not?
Do you need assistance with hearing or hearing aids, or are you looking to get hearing protection to help prevent hearing loss?
Get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.
Have a great week!
Kind regards,
All of us at AudioPlus Norge AS
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