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Your Ears Are Precious Don't Lose Them For No Reason

By: Barney Burcham


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The noise levels that people are facing in some cities have increased dramatically over the past few decades. The increase in volume is part of the reason why the number of deaf and those that suffer from hearing loss now stand at 28 million Americans.

Luckily, many forms of hearing loss can be delayed or completely prevented. The advancement of the hearing aids that are available and the improvement of medical treatment is helping to restore people's hearing more than ever before.

The ages of hearing loss sufferers are getting younger as more people become exposed to damaging sound levels. Every day 30 million Americans live their lives exposed to high, dangerous sound levels and 10 million have already suffered from irreversible damage to their hearing.

People between the ages of 45 and 64 have the highest amount of hearing loss with a 365% loss amongst males and 85% loss amongst women. Unlike age, hearing loss from noise levels and infections, especially during childhood is preventable.

Regular hearing tests are recommended to prevent unnecessary hearing loss, starting at birth. It is now possible to detect any problem with a newborn baby's hearing by using otoacoustic emissions. By diagnosing any hearing problems early a baby can have the best opportunity to develop its language skills which are developing even within the first six months of its life.

We hear due to the incredible process of turning sound into electrical nerve impulses as the sound waves are collected by the outer ear and cause the ear drum and tiny bones of the inner ear to vibrate. These electrical nerve impulses are created by the tiny hair shaped cells within the cochlea and are then sent as signals to the brain. These cells however cannot grow back if they become damaged.

Damage to a person's hearing from high noise levels can often result in constant ringing or buzzing in one or both ears known as tinnitus. Approximately 40 million people in America suffer from tinnitus to some degree but most manage to carry out their lives as normal.

Some tinnitus sufferers describe cricket like sounds which some can actually use to get them off to sleep. But for others tinnitus can be simply maddening. Fortunately 80% of the 10 million severe cases can receive some form of relief, but as of now, there is no outright cure.

Tinnitus was to blame for the actor who played Captain Kirk in Star Trek, William Shatner, to contemplate suicide due to its tormenting effects. Close proximity to loud explosions on the set of Star Trek has been blamed as a possible cause of his condition.

There are ways to protect your hearing. One way to prevent hearing loss is by using earplugs. Temporary loss of hearing can occur when you are exposed to over 90 decibels from things like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers for a long period of time. 100 decibels from work equipment can damage a person's hearing in 15 minutes if left unprotected. Permanent hearing loss can occur from anything over 110 decibels such as concerts and industrial machinery.

Hearing damage can be caused by ear infections if they are not treated early. Occasional ear infections are pain free and without any fever. The only symptom may be a loss of hearing. It is therefore important to discuss any hearing problems with a doctor and take a hearing test.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

To get a closer look on tinnitus treatments visit this site. When you would like to get more information on hearing tests check out this site.

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