How we hear
Our ear has three parts that lead to our brain. These parts are the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.
When we hear, it’s a complex process that involves multiple steps. Here’s a breakdown of how our ears and brain work together to interpret sound waves
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Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is more common problem than you might think. Nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss by 2050, and over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.**
Types of Hearing Loss:
Conductive Hearing Loss
This occurs when problems arise with the structures of the external ear, middle ear or both. This type of hearing loss is usually the result of a disruption to the sound’s path as it travels from the outer/middle ear to the inner ear. Causes can include wax blockages, fluid build-up in the middle ear space (common with ear infections), a hole or tear in the eardrum, and malformations of the outer and middle ear systems. Treatment can include medication, surgery, hearing aids or a combination of them.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This type of hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. It is the most common type of hearing loss in adults, accounting for more than 90% of cases. Some causes include aging, excessive noise exposure, some medications, and genetic conditions. It is generally permanent and cannot be treated with medication or surgery. However, hearing aids can prove beneficial.
Mixed Hearing Loss
This type of hearing loss has both a conductive and sensorineural component. Mixed hearing loss may be partially treated with medication or surgery. It can also be treated with hearing aids.
**Tinnitus**
Tinnitus is most often described as a ringing in the ears, even though no external sound is present. However, tinnitus can also cause other types of phantom noises in your ears, including:
Buzzing
Roaring
Clicking
Hissing
Humming
Causes
A number of health conditions like; Hearing loss, Ear infection, Ear Canal Blockage, Head or Neck Injuries, Medications can cause or worsen tinnitus.
In many cases, an exact cause is never found.
Risk factors
Anyone can experience tinnitus, but these factors may increase your risk :Loud noise exposure, Age, Sex, Tobacco and alcohol use Certain health problems like; Obesity, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, and a history of arthritis or head injury all increase your risk of tinnitus.
Complications
Tinnitus affects people differently. For some people, tinnitus can significantly affect quality of life. If you have tinnitus, you may also experience:
Fatigue
Stress
Sleep problems
Trouble concentrating
Memory problems
Depression
Anxiety and irritability
Headaches
Problems with work and family life
Prevention
In many cases, tinnitus is the result of something that can't be prevented. However, some precautions can help prevent certain kinds of tinnitus.
**Use hearing protection**: Over time, exposure to loud sounds can damage the nerves in the ears, causing hearing loss and tinnitus. Try to limit your exposure to loud sounds. And if you cannot avoid loud sounds, use ear protection to help protect your hearing
**Take care of your cardiovascular health**. Regular exercise, eating right and taking other steps to keep your blood vessels healthy can help prevent tinnitus linked to obesity and blood vessel disorders.
**Limit alcohol, caffeine and nicotine**. These substances, especially when used in excess, can affect blood flow and contribute to tinnitus.
**Treatment**
Treatment for tinnitus depends on whether your tinnitus is caused by an underlying health condition. If so, your doctor may be able to reduce your symptoms by treating the underlying cause. Examples include:
Earwax removal. Removing an earwax blockage can decrease tinnitus symptoms.
Treating a blood vessel condition. Underlying blood vessel conditions may require medication, surgery or another treatment to address the problem.
Hearing aids. If your tinnitus is caused by noise-induced or age-related hearing loss, using hearing aids may help improve your symptoms.
Changing your medication. If a medication you're taking appears to be the cause of tinnitus, your doctor may recommend stopping or reducing the drug, or switching to a different medication.
**Lifestyle and home remedies**
**Often, tinnitus can't be treated**. Some people, however, get used to it and notice it less than they did at first. For many people, certain adjustments make the symptoms less bothersome. These tips may help:
Use white noise. If tinnitus is especially noticeable in quiet settings, try using a white noise machine to mask the noise from tinnitus. If you don't have a white noise machine, a fan, soft music or low-volume radio static also may help.
Use hearing protection. when exposure to loud sounds
Turn down the volume. when you listening to music
Limit alcohol, caffeine and nicotine
for more information
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350162