H E A LT H
Ask the Expert Tune in to men’s hearing loss By Dr. Kelly P. Conroy Doctor of Audiology, Mayo Clinic
M
en are often accused of being poor listeners, especially by their spouses. In truth, they may have poor hearing. While 23% of adults have some form of hearing loss, the majority—60%—are men. Higher-pitched sounds, including softer women’s and children’s voices, are often the first to go.
Men and their loud lifestyles
Men’s lifestyles and occupations explain their higher rates of hearing loss. From farming to military service, construction work to manufacturing plants, more men work in noisy environments or use loud tools. Men’s recreational activities can be loud,
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too. Think of the noise levels generated by woodworking, metalworking, hunting, motorcycling, leaf blowers and other power tools.
Loud noises cause ear damage Hearing is key to well-being Chronic exposure to loud noises can take a permanent toll on our hearing, damaging the sensory and nerve cells in the inner ears. Personal audio devices are common culprits—especially ear buds that fit directly inside the ear canal. Whatever audio device you use, limit the volume around half to three-fourths of highest setting and keep listening sessions to one hour or less.
Hearing loss isn’t just annoying or inconvenient—it can also be embarrassing—and that can cause people to stop participating in social activities. Social isolation can easily lead to depression or anxiety. Hearing loss can also impair our ability to learn, perform well at work and hear important cues that help us safely navigate our surroundings.
Aging impacts our hearing, too. By the time people are in their 60s, many will notice a change in their hearing. Other causes of hearing loss can include heredity, ear infections or injuries, and high fevers. Most people are surprised to learn that certain medications may also cause sudden hearing loss, particularly some medications used in the treatment of cancer, anti-inf lammatory drugs like NSAIDs, and certain medications to treat erectile dysfunction. If you have sudden hearing loss— especially in one ear—or experience sudden vertigo or dizziness, see your family physician or ENT doctor promptly.
Watch for these signs and symptoms of hearing loss: • Muffled-sounding conversations and environmental sounds. • Difficulty understanding words, especially in a crowd. • Trouble hearing consonants. • Needing to ask others to repeat themselves or speak up. • Needing to increase radio or TV volume. Although most hearing loss can’t be reversed, a hearing specialist or audiologist can help by recommending the right hearing solution for you. Many devices are nearly invisible, too. Almost half of all hearing loss is preventable, so take steps to protect the hearing you have by limiting your exposure to excessive noise. When it can’t be avoided, use ear plugs, available at most drug stores, and remember to position the soft plugs deeply in the ear canal to be effective. Hearing loss can take a toll on a man’s quality of life. It deserves your attention every day—and always! Dr. Kelly P. Conroy is an audiologist at Mayo Clinic, Arizona. Conroy specializes in treating people with hearing loss and in rehabilitation through amplification devices.
Many causes of hearing loss
Signs and symptoms
