Research indicates that the two most common causes of hearing loss are cumulative noise exposure and aging.

  • Other surprising catalysts for hearing loss include:
  • Frequent ear infections, including those caused by swimmer’s ear
  • Ototoxic medications like Aspirin, Naproxen, or Ibuprofen
  • Head or ear injuries, especially if left untreated
  • Meniere’s disease or other chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s or Cardiovascular disease

You might be thinking that the above-mentioned causes of hearing loss seem geared pretty firmly towards adults. However, a recent study from Columbia University Medical center indicates that adolescent obesity is a huge factor in developing hearing loss later on in life.
The study involved 1,500 adolescents ranging in age from 12-19. The results indicated that teens that are obese are twice as likely to suffer from one-sided low-frequency hearing loss, compared to their trimmer counterparts.

Low-frequency hearing loss can have a negative impact on a person’s ability to hear properly in loud environments, group settings, and other social situations. Organ damage due to obesity-induced inflammation was cited by experts as the culprit for the hearing loss that occurred. Early intervention and a healthier lifestyle could stave off progression of hearing loss.

Do you often ask others to repeat themselves? Are you always turning up the volume to hear the television? Missing parts of conversations? These may be signs that you are experiencing hearing loss. Schedule an appointment at one of our two convenient locations in Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee.