Understanding Hearing Loss in Sub-Senior (Middle-Aged) Adults
While genetics can play a role in hearing loss, lifestyle and occupational factors are significant contributors to this cultural shift. The prevalence of leisure noise, particularly from headphones and earbuds accompanying personal listening devices, has surged in recent years. Activities such as gaming, music listening, streaming services, and even remote work with heightened audio levels during video conferences have exposed many individuals to potentially damaging sounds.
Interestingly, the recent years of social isolation brought about by lockdowns had a mixed impact on hearing health. On one hand, fewer opportunities for exposure to extremely loud environments like crowded bars or clubs with booming sound systems may have reduced some instances of hearing damage. However, the increased use of personal listening devices at higher volumes during isolation may have offset these gains.
One of the most profound reasons, especially for those in middle age, is that poor hearing can contribute to brain atrophy. Hearing isn’t just about your ears. The auditory cortex, part of the temporal lobe, is a portion of the brain that also handles language. If there are issues with the functioning of your ears, this will have a snowball effect and lead to the performance of the auditory cortex degrading — or even switching over to other tasks (which makes hearing issues harder to deal with later).
Poor hearing at any age can also cause issues with brain function and Alzheimer’s and dementia have both been found to be more prevalent in people with untreated hearing issues. And brain changes that lead to Alzheimer’s and all-cause dementia can start 25-30 years before a positive diagnosis.
And along with physical brain changes referenced above, the isolation and loneliness that often accompanies poor hearing — which makes conversation difficult — is also a significant risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s. This ties in with emotional health as those with poor hearing have starkly higher rates of depression. Again, the challenge of social activities is the primary driver of this phenomenon.
Poor hearing can even just make you more tired. This is known as listener fatigue and is tied to the brain pouring so much energy into interpreting the poor-quality sound it’s trying to process.
The key to mitigating hearing loss risks lies in adopting preventive measures. Individuals can start by being mindful of volume levels during home activities and using noise-reducing earplugs when venturing into noisy environments like clubs. Regular hearing screenings also play a crucial role in understanding the impact of hobbies or occupational noise on hearing health.
By staying proactive and informed, sub-senior adults can take control of their hearing wellness and minimize the long-term effects of noise-induced hearing loss.
Get started today!
They say a journey of 1000 miles starts with one step. And your journey to better moments and better hearing starts with one click!