Hearing is one of those things most of us take for granted—until it starts to slip away. We often ignore the subtle signs, brushing them off as temporary or insignificant. But here's the thing: your hearing health is crucial, and neglecting it can lead to long-term issues that might have been easily preventable. So, let’s chat about the top five signs that it might be time for you to schedule a visit to an audiologist.
1. Struggling to Hear Conversations
Ever find yourself nodding along in a conversation, pretending you heard what someone said, but really, you’re just lost? Maybe you’re constantly asking people to repeat themselves, especially in places with background noise like restaurants or crowded rooms. This is a classic sign of hearing loss. When you start missing parts of conversations or have to focus intensely just to catch what's being said, it’s not something to brush off. An audiologist in Massapequa, Long Island, can assess your hearing and help you get back to enjoying conversations without the stress.Why It Matters:
- Social connections - Good hearing is key to maintaining strong relationships and staying socially engaged.
- Mental health - Struggling to hear can lead to isolation, frustration, and even anxiety or depression over time.
Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Genetic Research, Hearing Loss, Lancet, Pediatrics / 29.01.2024
Gene Therapy Restores Hearing In Trial of Autosomal Recessive Pediatric Deafness
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Zheng-Yi Chen, D.Phil.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surger
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you briefly explain the process and indication
Response: This clinical trial is to use gene therapy to treat a type of genetic hearing loss. Genetic hearing loss mainly affects children. One in 600 newborns can have genetic hearing loss. There is no drug treatment for any type of hearing loss except for cochlear implants, which have limitations. This study focuses on a type of genetic hearing loss, DFNB9, due to a missing gene called Otoferlin. Without Otoferlin, children are born with complete hearing loss and without the capacity to speak. The goal of the trial is to study if gene therapy is safe and efficacious in treating children so they can regain hearing and the ability to speak.
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Aging, Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, Hearing Loss, JAMA, Johns Hopkins / 10.01.2023
Johns Hopkins Study Strengthens Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle,
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Alison R. Huang, PhD MPH
Senior Research Associate
Cochlear Center for Hearing & Public Health
Department of Epidemiology
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Hearing loss is a critical public health issue affecting two-thirds of older adults over 70 years old. There is growing understanding of a strong link between hearing loss and dementia, which impacts millions of Americans.
Our main findings are that in a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, every 10 decibel increase in hearing loss was associated with 16% greater prevalence of dementia, such that prevalence of dementia in older adults with moderate or greater hearing loss was 61% higher than prevalence in those with normal hearing.
We also found that in older adults with moderate or greater hearing loss, hearing aid use was associated with a 32% lower prevalence of dementia.
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