We all have habits that are not doing us any favors. There are some that are hurting you more than draining your bank account or annoying your friends; they may be harming your hearing health. Below are five habits that put your ears and hearing in danger.
Excessive Drinking
Beyond harming your liver, drinking heavily can impede your ability to hear. Drinking can impact your brain’s ability to interpret sounds, especially low frequency ones, and damage the hail cells within the inner ear. In addition, some experts suspect that drinking can shrink your auditory cortex, the part in your brain that is responsible for processing sound.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes negatively impacts almost every part of your body, including your ability to hear. Nicotine in the cigarettes can restrict the blood flow to your ears, damaging the hair cells within the inner ear.
Smoking can also affect those around you. Research shows that adolescents exposed to second-hand smoke are nearly twice as likely to experience hearing loss compared to those with no exposure.
Vaping
E-cigarettes entered the market as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. But since they contain nicotine, they also restrict the blood flow to your ears. In addition, the “vape juice” used in e-cigarettes contains hundreds of chemicals with unknown health implications. One chemical, propylene glycol, has been linked to sudden hearing loss.
Poor Oral Health
Brushing your teeth and flossing can surprisingly help protect your hearing in addition to your beautiful smile. Proper oral hygiene removes bacteria from your mouth that can lead to infections and swelling of the gums. When the bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can cause your arteries to narrow, thus restricting the flow of blood to your ears.
Hearing Loss Denial
Ignoring the early signs of hearing loss can be dangerous. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to a number of conditions, beyond just an inability to hear. Choosing not to seek treatment for your hearing loss can increase your risk of developing dementia, depression and anxiety. It can also make you less safe by increasing your risk of falls.
Now is the time to kick that unhealthy habit and take control of your hearing health. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with an audiologist, contact the experts at Hearing Center of Lake Charles today.