By Claire Brinsden Jordan
Have you ever stepped outside, closed your eyes, and just listened? Perhaps you heard birds chirping, water lapping, a dog barking, an airplane overhead, or the endless hum of an air conditioning condenser unit, which is very likely here in Florida. If eyesight is our window to the world, then hearing provides the soundtrack to our life.
When I was a dance teacher, I had a deaf student who excelled in class, despite this disability. She could read my lips for instruction and feel the rhythm of the music from the wood floor beneath her feet. I’m sure my meager attempts at sign language were of little help. I often wished she could hear the music to which she danced so beautifully, and it certainly made me appreciate my own ability to hear. Fortunately, there are things we can do to protect this precious soundtrack and prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
*Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises above 85 decibels (about the level of a blender or noisy restaurant) and move further away from very loud noise sources like fireworks, speakers, and sirens/alarms.
*Wear earplugs to protect from low frequency sound (low-pitched, rumbling sound that can travel great distances), and earmuffs to protect from high frequency sound (high-pitched sound like a whistle). Covering your ears with your hands is the next best option in a pinch.
*Keep the volume low when using headphones (at less than 60%) and don’t use them for more than an hour at a time.
*Take a break from noisy environments. If your ears start ringing from too much noise, give them 12-16 hours of quiet to recover.
Also, don’t insert objects into your ear canal. I know, I like Q-tips too, but they can push earwax deeper into your ear canal and potentially damage the ear drum. Try earwax removal drops if you have heavy buildup. Towel dry your outer ears after showering to keep them clean and dry. Use Swim-Ear drops to dry out the ears after swimming.
HEARING LOSS comes in three forms: Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, usually caused by noise exposure, certain medical conditions, and aging. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with sound transmission through the outer or middle ear, usually caused by earwax buildup, a punctured ear drum, or fluid in the ear. You may also have a mix of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Hearing loss first appears as difficulty hearing in noisy environments or noticing muffled speech during conversation. It is important to see an audiologist for a hearing evaluation, who may refer you to an otolaryngologist (ENT) doctor if they suspect a disease or medical condition is causing the hearing loss. Addressing hearing loss is essential to maintaining good social interaction. I’ve had to “strongly encourage” some of my own family members to get hearing aids, as they miss out on important conversations and interactions. Hearing aid technology has come a long way, and some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer hearing aid coverage.
Other Common Ear Issues…
TINNITUS is an annoying ringing, buzzing, or clicking sound in the ear that doesn’t come from an external source. There are many causes, including exposure to loud noises, ear infections, earwax buildup, age-related hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, head trauma, and medications like aspirin and antibiotics. Tinnitus may last just a few seconds, or for a prolonged period. There is no cure for tinnitus, but you can manage the symptoms with sound maskers like white noise, hearing aids, and lifestyle changes such as managing stress and getting plenty of sleep.
VERTIGO is a very disconcerting spinning or whirling sensation. Most cases of vertigo are BPPV – benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo, which involves tiny calcium carbonate crystals in your inner ear called otoconia. These crystals get dislodged from their normal position in the utricle and move into the semicircular canals where they wreak havoc when you move your head. Aside from the spinning sensation, you can experience loss of balance and sometimes nausea. A less benign cause of vertigo is AVS – acute vestibular syndrome. Vertigo from AVS lasts for more than 24 hours and is usually caused by an inner ear infection but can also arise from Meniere’s disease or brain issues like stroke and tumor. Although anyone can get vertigo, it is more common in women, older adults, and those who get migraines. Experiencing vertigo for the first time can be scary, and you should consult a doctor about the duration and frequency to determine the cause.
My most recent bout of vertigo started just after I got out of bed one morning. I began falling to one side as I walked and felt the room spinning. The feeling lasted less than a minute but recurred a couple more times over the next week. A telehealth appointment confirmed a vertigo diagnosis but was of little help beyond that – a bottle of anti-nausea medication arrived in the mail five days later. So, I searched for something that would cure it, not just treat the symptoms. That’s when I found a
maneuver developed by Carol Foster MD, Professor Emerita of Otolaryngology at the University of Colorado, and director of the Balance Laboratory at University of Colorado Hospital. Years ago she created this maneuver to move the otoconia crystals back into their rightful place in the utricle. Dr Foster explains the technique, which you can do at home, in a YouTube video online. The maneuver requires that you know which ear is affected (left or right), and you may have to repeat the sequence of movements several times before it works. After performing the maneuver 2-3 times I was vertigo free!
Next time you’re outside enjoying the many sounds of nature, listening to your favorite song, or having a conversation with a friend or family member, take a moment to appreciate those two odd little structures on each side of your head. Your ears are as unique to you as fingerprints or DNA and are an essential part of enjoying life to the fullest!