Hearing Loss Treatments Columbia SC

Scientists have discovered a possible link between two conditions that become more common as people age: hearing loss and dementia. And, apparently, the greater the hearing loss, the higher the likelihood of having dementia. But what is the exact relationship between these two conditions? Does hearing loss actually cause dementia? The reasons behind the link aren't clear just yet.

The researchers followed 639 men and women between the ages of 36 and 90 for an average of 12 years each, administering cognitive and hearing tests during that time. None of the participants had dementia at the beginning of the study.

• Over time, 184 participants developed some degree of hearing loss.
• Fifty-eight participants developed dementia, with about two-thirds of them suffering from Alzheimer's.

The study's authors discovered that patients with only mild hearing loss had a slight increase in dementia risk, but those whose hearing loss was moderate to severe had a much higher risk of developing dementia.

In fact, for every 10 decibels that participants could no longer hear, their risk of dementia went up by 20 percent. Overall, in the case of the study participants aged 60 and older, fully 36 percent of their risk of dementia was connected to hearing loss.

The researchers do not know if reducing hearing loss will cut down on the number of dementia cases or their severity, as the exact nature of the link between the two conditions is still a mystery. But they have several theories as to why there appears to be a connection.

1. One is that hearing loss is caused by damage to the nerve cells that line the inside of the ear, with similar damage occurring in the nerve cells governing memory and cognitive functioning.
2. Another is that since hearing loss can cause social isolation, people suffering from it withdraw from others and lose the brain stimulation that relationships offer.
3. A third possibility is that hearing loss is a biological marker of aging, much as ...

Do You Have Tinnitus?

Tinnitus involves the sensation of hearing sound when no external sound is present. Tinnitus symptoms include these types of phantom noises in your ears: ringing, buzzing, roaring, clocking, whistling, and hissing. The noise may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both of your ears. In some cases, the sound can be so loud that you may find is difficult to hear, concentrate, work, or even sleep.

What to Do

The most important thing you can do is to go see your doctor. Your doctor can try to determine what is causing your tinnitus. He or she can check to see if it is related to any medicine you are taking, hearing loss, blood pressure, kidney function, diet, or allergies.

To learn more about what is causing your tinnitus, your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor. The ENT doctor will examine your ears and your hearing to try to find out why you have tinnitus.

Treatmenting Tinnitus

To treat your tinnitus, your doctor will first try to identify any underlying conditions that may be associated with your symptoms. According to staff at the Mayo Clinic, if tinnitus is due to a health condition, your doctor may be able to take steps that could reduce the noise. Some possibilities include:

• Earwax removal. Removing impacted earwax can decrease tinnitus symptoms.

• Changing your medication. If a medication you're taking appears to be the cause of tinnitus, your doctor may recommend stopping or reducing the drug, or switching to a different medication.

• White noise machines. These produce noise simulating environmental sounds such as falling rain or the ocean, and are often an effective treatment for tinnitus.

• Hearing aids. This can be especially helpful if you have hearing problems as well as tinnitus.

• Maskers. These are small electronic devices that use sound to make tinnitus less noticeable. Maskers do not make tinnitus go away, but they make the ringing or roaring seem softer.

• Drug therapy. Drugs can't cure tinnitus, but some medicines may ease the severity of the symptoms.LL

Lifestyle Changes for Tinnitus

You can take an active role in treating tinnitus by adopting lifestyle habits that help you reduce and manage stress and other irritants. Here are some possibilities:

• Stress Management. Stress makes tinnitus seem worse. By relaxing, you have a chance to rest and better deal with the sound. Try yoga, meditation, stretching, or low to moderate impact exercises.

• Reduce your alcohol consumption. Alcohol increases the force of your blood by dilat...