Most people can easily rattle off several symptoms of anxiety, from shallow breathing to hot flashes to sweaty palms. Did you know, however, that long-term stress can actually cause hearing loss?
It’s about that fight-or-flight response we experience when faced with stressful situations. Our bodies release a burst of hormones, spurring our heartbeat to speed up and our blood vessels to constrict. Oxygen is routed to our muscles, providing a burst of strength and energy as we prepare to fight off an attack or run away.
This survival mechanism is invaluable when we are faced with an existential threat. In modern times, however, the things that get our hackles up aren’t immediate physical dangers. Instead, it’s the day-to-day worries of life—work, family, bills—that spur our anxiety, and these are typically ongoing. We worry about what might happen and we worry about being worried. You can see how constant anxiety can become a problematic cycle.
If you have trouble laying down your troubles, you’re not alone. Some 77 percent of people experience negative physical symptoms due to chronic stress, according to a 2014 report by the American Institute of Stress.
A Pain In The Ear
Living in a constant state of stress can cause serious ailments like high blood pressure and heart disease as well as hearing loss.
When you’re in stress the blood flow to the brain, and to your aural system, is suppressed. The resulting lack of circulation can damage the tiny, fragile hair cells in the inner ear. Tasked with translating the noise of the outside world into signals your brain can recognize as sound, they need a steady supply of oxygen to function properly.
Some overstressed people can also develop pulsatile tinnitus, hearing a rhythmic, pulsing sound in conjunction with the heartbeat. This can be distracting and even distressing, particularly if the condition persists.
Hearing Associates of Las Vegas Can Help
Fortunately for those experiencing stress-related hearing loss, there are ways to improve the situation.
You can start by making an appointment with a qualified hearing specialist such as those at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas, a company known for its expertise as well as access to the latest technology.
They’ll start with a test to determine the nature and source of any hearing issues. In some cases, hearing loss rehabilitation therapy may be undertaken.
They can also determine if it’s time for you to consider wearing a hearing aid. For those who are reluctant to take this step, you should know there are many different models from which to choose. At Hearing Associates of Las Vegas, you can learn about everything from the classic over-the-ear hearing aid to a mini-receiver that’s virtually hidden from view.
Whatever option you choose, it’s important to act quickly. After all, straining to hear what others are saying can cause its own stress.
With a qualified hearing expert, your life can improve in ways that will have you saying, “Here, here!”
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