The Long Haul: Hearing

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Welcome to The Long Haul! Every week, I’ll explore a longevity topic and then give a roundup of the big news in longevity.

Let's talk hearing.

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Today's Topic: Hearing

1 in 3 older adults experience some form of hearing loss in their lives. Yet, there’s not a lot of research on how it impacts our longevity and not many options for improving it.

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How does hearing impact longevity?

In a study of 10,000 participants, hearing loss was associated with higher mortality and dementia risk. [1,2]

The good news is that hearing aids reduce that risk. Regular hearing aid use is associated with a 25% lower mortality risk than non-users. [1]

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What impacts hearing?

Age is the most common cause of hearing loss. 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 have some sort of hearing loss. [3]

Other things also contribute to loss:

• Continuous exposure to loud noise
• Inherited factors
• Health conditions like diabetes
• Side effects of medications (chemotherapies, antibiotics, etc.)
• Blockages like wax

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Can you improve or sustain hearing?

You can’t bring back hearing abilities once you’ve lost them. Biotechnology companies are working to reverse hearing loss with regenerative therapy, but we’re a while away from their products being publicly available.

But, you can reduce hearing loss at any age and use different aids to improve hearing.

Here’s how to reduce hearing loss:

1. Monitor the volume of your devices: you shouldn’t be able to hear the TV from another room
2. Listen to your phone’s audio level recommendations: Both Apple and Android devices have an audio meter in their health apps to ensure safe audio levels – they also provide warnings (and you should listen)

3. Wear ear protection: in loud environments, like concerts, airplanes or even mowing the lawn, try to wear ear protection to reduce sound exposure. Loop earplugs are trying to revolutionize this. [4]

But to improve hearing, the easiest thing we can do is just give a shit.

Despite 27 million Americans aged 50 and older having hearing loss, only 1 in 7 use hearing aids. And as mentioned, regular hearing aid use drastically reduces mortality risk. So, if you think your hearing is going, visit an audiologist or doctor to inquire. [2]

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Thanks for reading.

– Robyn

[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(23)00232-5/fulltext

[2] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss​

[3] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/presbycusis​

[4] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hearing-loss/4-ways-to-protect-your-hearing

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​DISCLAIMER: None of this is medical advice. This content is strictly educational.