Hearing loss that can happen to anyone

#SeoulAsanHospital #HealthPlus #HearingLoss

 

Professor Ahn Joong-ho | Seoul Asan Medical Center Otolaryngology

 

00:44 The volume of sounds heard in daily life

01:17 Hearing loss self-diagnosis method

01:35 Hearing test

01:56 Treatment methods for hearing loss

02:32 Types and Advantages and Disadvantages of Hearing Aids

Hearing loss and dementia

04:22 Drugs to be cautious about

04:44 Congenital Hearing Loss

05:11 Prevention of Hearing Loss

05:27 Earphone Usage Instructions

Good food

 

Hello, I am Dr. Jung-ho Ahn, an ENT professor at Seoul Asan Medical Center.

When you hear about hearing loss, most people think of age-related hearing loss.

Recently, hearing loss is increasing even among the younger generation, and there are also congenital hearing impairments present from birth.

Today, we will have a comprehensive session covering the causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods of various types of hearing loss.

 

First, we need to understand the volume of sounds we hear in daily life, right?

For example, the sound level when having a comfortable conversation in a quiet room is about 60dB, and the sound level when drying hair with a hairdryer is approximately 80 decibels.

Sounds about the size of a conversation are okay to hear all day, but if you listen to noise about the size of a hairdryer for more than 6 hours a day, noise-induced hearing loss may occur.

Additionally, automatically increasing the volume of the TV or headphones because you can't hear well also increases the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

 

There is a table that allows you to self-diagnose whether you have hearing loss. Each item assesses the level of inconvenience caused by difficulty hearing in daily life, and if the total score is 10 or higher, the risk of age-related hearing loss is over 50%. Please visit a nearby otolaryngology clinic for ear health management.

In the ENT department, the presence and degree of hearing loss are primarily determined through pure tone audiometry and speech tests.

The diagnosis of hearing loss is determined by the average of the smallest audible sound levels at different frequencies. Generally, hearing is considered normal if the threshold is 20 decibels or less, and classified as uncomfortable hearing loss if it is 40 decibels or more.

 

In cases of conductive hearing loss where sound transmission is not possible, hearing can be restored through surgical treatment.

For example, surgical treatments such as repairing a perforated eardrum, reconnecting disconnected ossicles, or inserting artificial ossicles can be performed.

In cases of sudden hearing loss caused by poor blood circulation or viral infections, the sooner treatment is administered, the better. Generally, it is recommended to seek treatment within at least two weeks.

At this time, drug therapy including steroids may be administered, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be performed in cases of severe sudden deafness.

 

There are two main types of hearing aids: the CIC (Completely-in-Canal) hearing aid, which is inserted into the ear canal, and the RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) hearing aid, which hooks onto the outer ear and connects the receiver to the ear canal.

Generally, RIC-type hearing aids are larger than CIC hearing aids, allowing them to include various features and use rechargeable batteries. However, they can be inconvenient for elderly individuals with limited dexterity when putting on or taking off the hearing aids.

CIC hearing aids fit snugly into the ear canal, so there is no risk of detachment when wearing masks or glasses, and they have aesthetic advantages. However, they require frequent battery replacements, may cause a feeling of tightness or blockage in the ear canal, and can lead to external ear dermatitis.

 

When you ride a bicycle as a child and then stop, and later when you ride again as an adult, isn't it initially uncertain and difficult, fearing you might fall?

However, with some practice, you can regain your previous hearing ability. Similarly, if hearing has declined due to long-term disuse, appropriate auditory rehabilitation through hearing aids can prevent auditory aging, and in some cases, hearing can even improve compared to before.

 

The association between hearing loss and dementia has been reported. When long-term follow-up was conducted on patients aged 65 and older who were diagnosed with hearing loss and recommended to use hearing aids but did not, it was found that those with mild hearing loss had about twice the incidence of dementia compared to those with normal hearing, those with moderate or worse hearing loss had about three times the incidence, and those with severe hearing loss had as much as five times the incidence of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

On the other hand, some studies report that even with hearing loss, if appropriate hearing rehabilitation such as hearing aids is provided, there is no difference in the incidence of dementia compared to individuals with normal hearing.

 

There are medications that can cause temporary or permanent ototoxicity when taken or administered via injection.

Loop diuretics and aspirin, when taken in excess over a long period, can cause temporary hearing loss or dizziness, while aminoglycoside antibiotics, some anticancer drugs, and quinine-based medications can cause permanent hearing loss or dizziness in severe cases.

 

Congenital deafness that occurs immediately after birth is the most common among sensory organ disorders in humans, with approximately 1 in 500 individuals being born with severe hearing loss.

The causes of these congenital hearing impairments are very diverse, and it is known that about 50 to 80% are caused by mutations in deafness-related genes.

In addition, congenital giant virus infections and brain damage during delivery can also cause fetal hearing loss.

 

Above all, you should avoid prolonged exposure to excessively loud noises. If there is a construction site near your home, it is advisable to wear earplugs when passing by, and when going to karaoke or clubs with friends, it is also good to give your ears a rest for more than 10 minutes every hour.

These days, many people wear earphones frequently. When listening to music or online lectures, it is essential to use noise-canceling products. Also, follow the "60-60 rule," which suggests keeping the volume below 60% and listening for less than 60 minutes each time you use earphones or headphones.

Additionally, it is a good habit to take supplements such as ginkgo leaf extract, coenzyme Q10, and antioxidant foods, which are known to be beneficial for ear health.

In a work environment that causes noise-induced hearing loss, it is essential to wear protective gear such as earplugs first. Additionally, it is very important to give your ears a quiet rest for at least 10 minutes every hour of work.

 

Today, I learned about hearing loss.

Hearing loss is not just about having difficulty hearing sounds.

When you have difficulty hearing sounds properly, it can cause stress, overload the brain, and lead to cognitive dysfunction.

Additionally, because they do not participate well in conversations, their confidence in social life decreases, which can lead to social isolation.

Hearing loss can suddenly occur at a young age due to bad habits, so always be cautious and take preventive measures in advance.

Seoul Asan Medical Center will always strive and work hard for the health of our patients.

Thank you.