Protect your ears

About a third of people over age 60, and half of those over age 75, experience hearing loss that interferes with communication. Live long enough, and you are overwhelmingly likely to lose at least some of your hearing.

But in addition to age, environmental, genetic and medical conditions can cause hearing loss and tinnitus – ringing in the ears.

It is important that children have their hearing tested, because impaired hearing can contribute to language and learning delays and lead to social and emotional problems.

We need to protect our ears. Today, many kids are subjecting themselves to damagingly high noise levels. When our ears and ear canals are subject 85 decibels or higher – think of fire engine sirens, a rock concert or an iPod player at maximum volume – hearing loss can occur.

How do you protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss? Turn down the volume on your iPod and break up listening sessions — don’t listen for hours on end. Consider earplugs or noise-canceling headphones when you are going to be in an 85-decibel plus environment.

Hearing loss is also sometimes caused by ear wax, a substance that is usually good for the ears.

Ear wax protects the ear canal, keeping it clean and lubricated and protected from bacteria, insects, water and fungi. But when ear wax builds up, it can become impacted and cause hearing loss.

Most people know that trying to remove the wax with a cotton swab doesn’t help, and can cause harm by impacting the ear drum. The preferred method of removal is a softener and foaming agent that loosens the wax so that it can be flushed out with warm water.

Swimmer’s ear – technically otitis externa – is an infection that can cause temporary hearing loss. It is caused by water that remains in the ear, breeding bacteria that cause itching and pain.

The best initial treatment for swimmer’s ear is not antibiotics. The infection can be healed by keeping the ear dry, applying ear drops, and holding a heated pad lightly against the outside of the ear.

Antibiotics should only be used where no other solution exists, as they can contribute to the creation of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.

Temporary hearing loss sometimes also results from colds, upper respiratory infections and allergies. Mucous can build up in the ear canals and inhibit hearing, but normal hearing returns when the mucous goes away.

Hearing loss caused by meningitis, mumps, measles, chickenpox and other childhood diseases can damage the inner ear and ear canal, resulting in serious, permanent hearing loss. And people with untreated high blood pressure may have reduced blood flow to the ears, which can cause hearing loss.

Head trauma and other injuries can weaken our hearing ability.

If you are experiencing prolonged hearing loss, see your primary care physician, who may refer you to a specialist.

As in all aspects of one’s health, in taking care of your hearing, you need to be attuned to your body, live a healthful life and don’t delay in seeking help when things are not working properly.

Steve Bernardi is a registered compounding pharmacist and co-owner of Johnson Compounding & Wellness in Waltham (www.naturalcompounder.com). Readers with questions about natural or homeopathic medicine, compounded medications, or health in general can email steve@naturalcompounder.com or call 781-893-3870.