Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1261193
H EA LTH BY PAULETTE VICTOR LIFTON MPSE Hearing Loss H ave you ever left a mix with your ears ringing? Have you had a client who wants 95db instead of 85db? Have you ever worked on a film with "Nine Inch Nails" blasting all day, every day, for a week? Yes to all of these for me, which is the reason why now, I cannot hear the slight hum sound in a background or a whisper…both of these are very important when you do SOUND for a living. I guess you can say, the "barn door" to my inner-ear damage is closed now that I have super-groovy bright orange musician earplugs. So what makes them groovy is that you can put in different –db levels inside the earplugs (-3, -6, -9, etc.). You can still hear everything but you protect your precious hearing. This is something that every editor and mixer should have for mixes, for concerts, machinery, or anything that may damage your fragile and creative ears. It's insidious as it happens over time, and before you know it, a mixer is turning around and asking if you like that background sound and you are "What sound?" So what if you have a hearing problem and you don't realize it? Here are some of the clues: • Have trouble hearing over the telephone • Find it hard to follow conversations when two or more people are talking • Often ask people to repeat what they are saying • Need to turn up the TV volume so loud that others complain • Have a problem hearing because of background noise • Think that others seem to mumble • Can't understand when women and children speak to you We all know hearing loss comes in many forms. It can range from a mild loss, in which a person misses certain high-pitched sounds, such as the voices of women and children, to a total loss of hearing. There are two general categories of hearing loss: Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear. The cause may be earwax buildup, fluid, or a punctured eardrum. Medical treatment or surgery can usually restore conductive hearing loss. Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis): Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, comes on gradually as a person gets older. It seems to run in families and may occur because of changes in the inner ear and auditory nerve. Presbycusis may make it hard for a person to tolerate loud sounds or to hear what others are saying. Age-related hearing loss usually occurs in both ears, affecting them equally. The loss is gradual, so someone with presbycusis may not realize that he or she has lost some of his or her ability to hear. Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus): Tinnitus is also a common issue. It is typically described as ringing in the ears, but it also can sound like roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing. It can come and go. It might be heard in one or both ears, and it may be loud or soft. Tinnitus is sometimes the first sign of hearing loss in older adults. Tinnitus can accompany any type of hearing loss and can be a sign of other health problems, such as high blood pressure, allergies, or as a side effect of medications. Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. Something as simple as a piece of earwax blocking the ear canal can cause tinnitus, but it can also be the result of a number of health conditions. Causes of Hearing Loss: Loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Hear that? Yes, that means you with the volume knob turned up! Loud noise also contributes to tinnitus. You can prevent most noise-related hearing loss. Protect yourself by turning down the sound on your headphones or using earplugs or other ear protection. Other causes of hearing loss include earwax, fluid buildup, a punctured eardrum, diabetes, high blood pressure, viruses, bacteria, a heart condition, stroke, brain injury, or a tumor may also affect your hearing. Hearing loss can also result from taking certain medications. "Ototoxic" medications damage the inner ear, sometimes permanently. Some ototoxic drugs include medicines used to treat serious infections, cancer, and heart disease. Some antibiotics are ototoxic. Even aspirin at some dosages can cause problems. If you need to get some help with your hearing, hearing aids are one option. They make many kinds and many are so small they are invisible to others. They are expensive so ask if you can have a trial period so you can make sure the device is right for you. Other options are assistive-listening devices, mobile apps, alerting devices, and cochlear implants can help some people with hearing loss. Cochlear implants are electronic devices for people with severe hearing loss. Talk with your doctor about what's right for you. Learn more about hearing loss from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and definitely contact your doctor and/or an audiologist if you think you have any of these issues, the sooner the better. And remember, TURN DOWN THE SOUND!