Where You Can Place Blame if You Need a Hearing Aid

It probably wasn't that long ago that you couldn't have imagined a less important subject than your ability to hear. You took it for granted, only pausing for a moment to reflect when you saw someone performing sign language or wearing a hearing aid. Here you are, now, however, and suddenly everything is a bit muffled. You go to the audiologist and they tell you that you are suffering from moderate auditory loss and could benefit by seeking help. How did this happen? If you're looking for something to blame, the culprit likely belongs to one of three main categories.

Genetics

Your parents. That's right, not only did they never let you have any fun growing up, but they may be to blame for your newfound need of a hearing aid. If you've ever wondered why you know people who have attended thousands of rock concerts without ever saying, "Huh?" when talking on the phone and you also know someone who lost some of their ability to hear from a single Motorhead show, genetics could be at least partially to blame. Scientists say that at least 100 of our genes could play some role in determining how we react to stimuli that could damage our ears. Of course, it also plays a big role in determining if you will suffer from otosclerosis, one of the most common causes of auditory loss in older adults.

Noise

You may not be the type of blast your speakers in the car, but over time, you may have exposed your ears to unsafe decibels a few too many times. It happens. We live in a very noisy world. When experts say we should limit our exposure to volume levels exceeding 85 decibels, it seems like a fairly easy thing to do. That is until you realize that you should be able to have a normal conversation with someone while wearing headphone and listening to music. Then you realize that 85 decibels really doesn't seem that loud.

Smoking and Obesity

You won't find too many studies saying that smoking cigarettes and being overweight are good ideas for your health, but who knew they could affect your ability to hear? Indeed, researchers have found conclusive links between obesity, smoking, and auditory loss. If you've spent a significant portion of your life being overweight or smoking cigarettes, the decreased blood flow these activities/lifestyles cause could be the reason behind your need for a hearing aid today.