Metabolic Syndrome Can Increase the Risk of Hearing Loss
A 2021 study has uncovered a link between two conditions: metabolic syndrome and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Below we review what metabolic syndrome is, what SSNHL is and what the study shows. What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors related to cardiovascular disease, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke….
Spinal Cord Injuries Can Lead to Hearing Loss
The spinal cord, located in the canal in the center of your vertebrae, is a bundle of nerves that sends messages between the brain and the rest of your body about sensation and movement. Did you know that if you injure your spinal cord, it can actually lead to hearing loss? We review more about…
How the Ear Works
The ear is a surprisingly complex organ responsible for collecting and processing sounds and transmitting them to the brain for interpretation. Many take hearing for granted, but understanding the process is the key to treating hearing loss. How Is the Ear Structured? The ear consists of three sections: the outer ear, middle ear and inner…
What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?
What is Single Sided Deafness? Sometimes referred to as unilateral hearing loss, single sided deafness is a condition in which an individual experiences hearing loss in only one ear but can hear normally out of the other ear. While most patients with a hearing impairment suffer from bilateral (two-sided) hearing loss, SSD affects approximately 60,000…
What is Sudden Hearing Loss?
For most people who experience hearing loss, the condition comes on gradually over a period of years. In rare cases, an abrupt loss of hearing occurs with little or no warning. This condition is known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). What is Sudden Deafness? Sudden deafness is an unexplained and rapid hearing loss that…
What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
How Can Sounds Hurt Your Ears? Background sound is a constant in our busy lives. Normally, background noises are at safe levels that do not negatively impact our hearing. But repeated exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dB) can cause noise induced hearing loss. The louder the sound, the less amount of time it takes…
Prevent Hearing Loss and Tinnitus with Hearing Protection
Your hearing is one of your most important senses, helping you to perceive the world and even keep you safe. Protecting it is essential if you want to avoid hearing loss and other problems such as tinnitus. Your hearing can be damaged more easily than you might think, and spending time around loud noises at work or…
How an Audiologist Performs Ear Cleaning
If you have experienced any feelings of fullness, blocked ears, minor hearing loss, or symptoms like dizziness or a painful ear, it may be a symptom of an earwax blockage or impaction. If that’s the case, an ear cleaning from your audiologist is both the safest and most effective way of treating it. But how exactly does an…
How Untreated Hearing Loss Impacts Cognitive Function
With so many individuals experiencing hearing loss, there have been extensive studies to determine the effects this can have on other aspects of your health. From emotional impacts to a greater risk of dementia, untreated hearing loss has been shown to have a number of ramifications on your cognitive function. Hearing loss and cognitive decline In…
4 Dos and Don’ts of Ear Cleaning
Most people tend to reach for cotton swabs when they’re cleaning their ears. Some people even stuff their finger in and try to clear any blockages when they’re in the shower, but these are both ineffective and dangerous methods of cleaning your ears. Your ear is a very delicate structure and it can suffer damage very…