Ask the Expert

Ask the Expert

Tune in to men’s hearing loss By Dr. Kelly P. Conroy Doctor of Audiology, Mayo Clinic M en are oft en accused of being too. Th ink of the noise levels generated by poor listeners, especially by their woodworking, metalworking, hunting, spouses. In truth, they may have motorcycling, leaf blowers and other power poor hearing. tools.

While 23% of adults have some form of hearing loss, the majority—60%—are men. Loud noises cause ear damage Higher-pitched sounds, including soft er Chronic exposure to loud noises can take women’s and children’s voices, are oft en a permanent toll on our hearing, damagthe fi rst to go. ing the sensory and nerve cells in the inner Men and their loud lifestyles ears. Personal audio devices are common culprits—especially ear buds that fi t di

Men’s lifestyles and occupations explain rectly inside the ear canal. their higher rates of hearing loss. From Whatever audio device you use, limit farming to military service, construction the volume around half to three-fourths work to manufacturing plants, more men of highest setting and keep listening seswork in noisy environments or use loud sions to one hour or less. tools. Men’s recreational activities can be loud, Many causes of hearing loss

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.

Hearing is key to well-being

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. Signs and symptoms

Watch for these signs and symptoms of hearing loss: • Muffl ed-sounding conversations and environmental sounds. • Diffi culty 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 soft plugs deeply in the ear canal to be eff ective. eff ective.

Hearing loss can take a toll on a man’s quality of life. It deserves your attention quality of life. It deserves your attention every day—and always! every day—and always!

Dr. Kelly P. Conroy is an audiologist at Mayo Clinic, Arizona. Conroy specializes Mayo Clinic, Arizona. Conroy specializes in treating people with hearing loss and in in treating people with hearing loss and in rehabilitation through ampli cation derehabilitation through ampli cation de- vices.