Hearing Loss Archive

Frequent use may be a preventable contributor to hearing loss.

When you think of risk factors for hearing loss, over-the-counter painkillers probably aren't among them. But a Harvard study published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that frequent use of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be an important contributor. In the study, women who took the pain relievers at least twice a week were at a greater risk for hearing loss, and more frequent usage increased the risk by up to 24%. The findings are similar to a study of men and hearing loss, although aspirin was also found to contribute to risk in that study.

Older adults with hearing loss may be at risk for cognitive problems. Research shows that people with hearing loss have a 24% greater risk for cognitive impairment than do people with normal hearing.

Insider tips to getting the device best for you.

When to get tested so you don't miss out on the sounds around you.

"What?" How often do you have to ask this one-word question during conversations? If the answer is often, you could have a hearing problem.

Strategies to combat that constant ringing in your ears.

Do you hear a constant ringing in your ears? You may be among the millions of Americans living with tinnitus, a sound that may annoy you or even interfere with daily living. "While most patients are aware of their tinnitus without a negative impact on their overall quality of life, I do have patients who can't concentrate at work or sleep at night because they're always hearing their tinnitus," says Dr. Felipe Santos, an otolaryngologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and an instructor at Harvard Medical School.

Q. Lately, it seems like I have a harder time following people in conversation
because they seem to mumble so much. Should I get my hearing tested?

A. Hearing loss is very common as people get older. One in three men over age 65 has some degree of hearing loss. Bring it up with your doctor at your regular check-up. A detailed test is not recommended for people not already experiencing trouble with their hearing.

Millions may be suffering needlessly.

You're not alone if you have trouble hearing and you're not doing anything about it. An estimated 27 million Americans could benefit from the use of hearing aids but aren't currently using them, according to a recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers found that from 1999 to 2006, only 14% of adults 50 and older who needed a hearing aid actually used one.

Q. I have a feeling of fullness in my ears that won't go away. I think it has been diagnosed as something called eustachian tube dysfunction. I have been to several otolaryngologists. Nothing has worked. Suggestions?

A. People with a persistent sensation of fullness in the ear should get it checked out by a physician. Occasionally, hearing loss can create such a feeling. Temporomandibular joint disorders, which affect the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull, can also create the sensation. But a diagnosis of eustachian tube dysfunction does make sense.

Q. I heard somewhere that the type of earwax you have is linked to your risk of heart disease. Can that be true?

A. One part of that "connection" is correct — humans have different types of earwax, also known as cerumen (suh-ROO-men). Wet earwax, which is brownish and sticky, contains about 50% fat and 20% protein. Dry earwax, which is gray and flaky, contains 18% fat and 43% protein. The type of earwax a person has is genetically determined.

Sinusitis occurs when blocked sinuses cannot drain and the backed-up mucus gets infected. The simplest and often most effective treatment is daily nasal irrigation. It can also help to drink a lot of water, inhale steam, and sleep with the head elevated.