Hearing loss: Just the facts

By DR. KATHLEEN COATES, AUDIOLOGIST/OWNER OF COATES HEARING CLINIC

One of the missions at our clinic in Smithfield is to educate our community about hearing loss and the importance of treatment. We operate on an evidence-based approach, meaning that anything we test and recommend for patients is based on research. Why is education important?

Prevention. The main point in educating you and our patients on these links is to help create a prevention plan and implement early treatment. So, here are the facts: Though hearing loss can happen at any age, 33% of Americans between ages 65-74 experience hearing loss, and it happens to nearly 50% of people over 75. Age-related hearing loss is often referred to as presbycusis. It typically affects certain sounds first, such as high pitched or soft sounds. Most patients with presbycusis start to notice difficulty with comprehension of conversations and hearing in group settings.

Understanding what is being said on the television or over the phone can also be challenging. These changes typically happen gradually, so a family member, friend or spouse is often the one who notices the signs first and encourages the patient to be tested.

Hearing loss can be caused by, and is linked with, many health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer treatment, thyroid disorder, kidney disease, balance disorders, stroke and cognitive decline.

We collaborate with your primary care physician, physical therapist, cardiologist and many other specialists for prevention and long-term treatment.

A baseline hearing evaluation is recommended for adults over age 65 and anyone who experiences any of these health conditions linked with hearing loss.

HEALTH CONDITIONS LINKED WITH HEARING LOSS

• Diabetes: Hearing loss is twice as common in adults with diabetes. Diabetes may damage the blood vessels of the inner ear, and elevated blood sugar levels can cause chemical changes that impact the nervous system, such as the hearing nerve.

• Cardiovascular: Conditions such as high blood pressure or hypertension have been linked with hearing loss. Sufficient blood flow is necessary to maintain function of the ear.

• Cancer: Many cancer treatments, such as certain chemotherapy medications and radiation, can be ototoxic, or harmful to the inner ear. Periodic hearing tests are recommended throughout certain treatments.

• Thyroid disorders: Thyroid disorders have been linked to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing, buzzing or other sounds in the ears or head) and balance issues.

• Kidney disease: 54% of patients with moderate kidney disease report hearing loss. This link can be explained by structural and functional similarities between tissues of the inner ear and in the kidney. Toxins that accumulate in the kidney can damage nerves, including those in the inner ear.

• Balance/falling: The inner ear is linked with your vestibular, or balance, system. Patients who have untreated hearing loss have a threetimes greater risk of falling than normal.

• Cognitive decline: There has been a great deal of research in the past few years linking hearing loss with cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows that this link may be due to a decrease in brain stimulation for those with hearing loss versus those with normal hearing. Patients with untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline are much more likely to experience social isolation, depression and anxiety. However, there is good news! Recent research has shown improvement in cognitive health with appropriate hearing loss treatment.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

A healthy lifestyle and regular followup appointments with your physicians are vital in helping to prevent future changes in your health as well as hearing loss. Avoiding loud noise/using hearing protection is one of the best preventative strategies to employ. Treatment is vital following a diagnosis of hearing loss. This may include hearing aids, aural rehabilitation, communication strategies or other assistive listening devices. Every prevention and treatment plan is unique to each patient’s history and goals.

If you have noticed changes in your hearing, or know someone who has, please do not wait to seek treatment. Most health insurances will cover a comprehensive hearing evaluation and there are many plans now that have a benefit or coverage for treatment, such as hearing aids.

To learn more, contact Coates Hearing Clinic at 919-300-5438 for our upcoming free educational seminar series dates and research sources.