subject: Multiple Solutions Can Aid Smokers Suffering from Hearing Loss [print this page] Multiple Solutions Can Aid Smokers Suffering from Hearing Loss
Americans have long been aware of many of the risks that smoking can cause to their health, which is why the number of people who smoke on a regular basis has declined dramatically over the years. Still though, researchers are continuing to find out about new ways that smoking can affect people's health. Most Americans are unaware that smoking cigarettes can lead to hearing loss, but within the past decade, doctors have become sure that smokers are as much as 70% more likely to suffer from hearing loss than if they didn't smoke. Unfortunately, many people aren't concerned enough about issues related to their ability to hear, and it seems unlikely that this knowledge will be enough to push most smokers to quit. Recently, however, researchers have determined that being exposed to second-hand smoke also greatly increases the likelihood that people will suffer from hearing loss. Hopefully, the knowledge of how one's actions will harm others can help motivate many Americans to finally quit their unhealthy smoking habits.
All of this research has been carried out quite recently, however, which means that older Americans have already lived most of their lives without knowing how their smoking habits could affect their ears or the ears of the people they love. Millions of people have been smoking without realizing that they are putting themselves at serious risk for hearing loss down the road. It's common knowledge that many old people struggle to hear things as the health of their ears fades, but only recently have some of the causes of accelerated hearing loss have become better understood. Hopefully, all of this new knowledge will enable America's future generations to make better health choices, but for now, America's older generations are seeking out hearing solutions to help augment the loss they may be suffering from.
The best way that anyone can augment their ability to hear is to start by visiting their doctor or a clinic that specializes in ear, nose and throat issues. At either of those locations, someone will be able to administer an easy, affordable and quick hearing test for you, so you can determine what, if any, problems you may be struggling with. If a trained professional determines that your ability to hear isn't quite where it should be, they will be able to provide you with several different options that may help you restore some of your ability to hear. Of course, if you're still a smoker, quitting that unhealthy habit will help protect your ears from further damage. Still, it won't be able to reverse the damage that you may have already caused your ears, which is why you may greatly benefit from using a hearing aid. These kinds of aids can pick up various vibrations and sounds and then amplify them for you so you can better hear them. Many people are afraid to start using an aid because they think it will be too expensive or uncomfortable, but there are so many different types available that there is an aid that will work well for everyone. So whether you've been a long time smoker or not, now is the time to get your ears checked so you can start finding solutions that may work for you.
