Xiao A recently encountered a troubling issue: he noticed his hearing seemed worse than before. During discussions with colleagues, he occasionally couldn't make out what was said and often had to ask them to repeat themselves. Sometimes when his boss gave instructions, he also struggled to hear clearly but felt awkward asking for repetition. This significantly impacted his work and caused him great distress. How could his hearing be failing when he wasn't even 30 yet?
World Hearing Report: One-Fifth of the Global Population Has Hearing Loss
On March 2 local time, the World Health Organization released the World Hearing Report, which states that approximately one-fifth of the global population currently suffers from hearing loss. Hearing impairment affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide, and it is projected that by 2050, 2.5 billion people globally will experience varying degrees of hearing loss.
Who Is Stealing Our Hearing?
Some habits seem unrelated to ears, yet they are silently stealing our hearing
Why is hearing loss becoming more prevalent? It actually relates to our daily habits—such as frequent exposure to high-noise environments, regular headphone use, and even seemingly unrelated behaviors that can damage our hearing.A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 53% of hearing loss in adults is caused by everyday noise exposure.
Medical evidence indicates that prolonged exposure to environments exceeding 85 decibels can cause auditory fatigue; when volume surpasses 110 decibels, irreversible hearing damage may occur. In daily life, be vigilant against these hearing-damaging habits.
1.Frequent use of in-ear headphones
Many young people today favor in-ear headphones, especially during commutes. Watching sports videos or binge-watching TV shows with headphones is a popular way to unwind after a busy day. However, in noisy environments like buses or subways, where ambient noise reaches 70 decibels, we often unconsciously increase headphone volume to hear clearly. Prolonged exposure to high volume can cause irreversible hearing damage.
2. Prolonged phone conversations
Phones are essential for daily communication, and some people enjoy lengthy phone chats lasting half an hour or even hours. Experts warn that frequent or prolonged phone use can damage hearing, potentially leading to sensorineural hearing loss in severe cases.Therefore, it's advisable to keep calls brief and use speakerphone whenever possible to minimize ear strain.
3. Using hard objects to clean ears
Some people habitually use hard objects to clean their ears, which can easily injure the ear canal and increase the risk of infection. If foreign objects like cotton fibers remain in the ear canal, they can also cause damage.
4. Frequent bar and karaoke visits
While young people enjoy bars and karaoke venues, these spaces are typically extremely noisy. Regular exposure to such environments can damage hearing. It is advisable to limit the frequency and duration of visits to bars and karaoke establishments.
Additionally, individuals with colds or excessive fatigue should avoid such noisy venues. When immunity is compromised, exposure to high-decibel noise may trigger sudden deafness.
5. Living on Higher Floors
Many assume higher floors are quieter and thus choose them. However, studies reveal that noise in high-rise buildings follows a "small at both ends, large in the middle" distribution pattern, with noise levels peaking between 30 and 70 meters.Of course, floor noise also depends on the environment, such as overpasses, buildings, and green belts. If your home feels noisy, installing double-pane windows or using thick, porous curtains can help reduce noise. When staying home, minimize opening windows to avoid environmental noise damaging your hearing.
6.Driving with Windows Open
Driving with windows open can also damage hearing. At higher speeds, wind noise can exceed 100 decibels, causing significant harm. Additionally, loud honking or playing music at high volumes inside the car can injure your ears. Therefore, keep windows closed while driving, especially at higher speeds, and avoid playing music too loudly inside the vehicle.
7. Forcefully blowing your nose
Some people habitually pinch both nostrils and blow forcefully. This action can propel mucus into the middle ear like a wave, causing the organs within to become "drowned," leading to hearing damage.
8. Ignoring colds, rhinitis, or pharyngitis
Conditions like colds, rhinitis, sinusitis, and pharyngitis should not be taken lightly. Without timely treatment, they may progress into secretory otitis media, a common cause of childhood hearing loss.Accidental medication ingestion
Ingesting toxic drugs that damage nerves, capillaries, or cause infections may also lead to hearing loss. Always follow medical advice when taking medication!
10. Excessive fatigue and stress
The ear is a highly sensitive organ. Prolonged stress causes inner ear blood vessels to constrict, leading to ischemia and hypoxia, which can result in hearing loss or even deafness.It is understood that sudden deafness now predominantly affects young adults aged 25-40, primarily linked to high work pressure and irregular lifestyles. 11. Alcohol Abuse Acute alcohol poisoning can trigger temporary deafness, tinnitus, and vertigo. Chronic alcoholics are prone to pharyngitis, which can cause eustachian tube obstruction and result in tinnitus.ENT specialists note that clinically, some cases of sudden deafness and vertigo often occur within hours or days after heavy drinking.
Once hearing is damaged, it cannot be reversed. Therefore, in daily life, everyone must consciously protect their ears and hearing.
References:
Ultra-Popular Hearing Test: How Many Hertz Can Your Ears Hear? - Health Detective Official Account
One in Five People Globally Have Hearing Loss! WHO Releases World Hearing Report - Mays Medical