Tag Archives: music earplugs

Start Christmas Shopping Now for the Music Lovers

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Yet another article on the damaging effects of consistent exposure to loud music via earphones or concerts made me think about this year’s Christmas list. Do you have music lovers on your list? If you do, you should read this article and truly consider purchasing some hearing protection for them!

Hearing damage can occur after exposure to decibel levels as low as 85 dB. Hearing damage is permanent and irreversible. Tiny hair cells in the inner ear convert sound energy into electrical signals. These signals travel to the brain where the sound is interpreted. Hearing damage occurs when the hair cells are damaged, and the worst part is, they don’t grow back. This is why hearing damage is permanent and irreversible. The only way to improve hearing after hearing damage occurs it to wear hearing aids. Continue reading →

Are You Genetically Predisposed to Hearing Loss?

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It’s a typical image of an elderly person, the old guy with his hand cupped over his ear saying “Speak up, I can’t hear you lad!” But not all folks lose their hearing merely from aging. Could this be due to genetics?

Neurotologists at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles, CA have identified a gene that is responsible for glutamate regulation, which may be one cause of hearing loss in the elderly. Glutamate, apparently, is a necessary neurotransmitter in the ear, but some people produce too much glutamate and this then damages sensory cells and neurons in the ear causing hearing loss. Continue reading →