Though there is plenty to be grateful for being a part of the advanced world, all the busyness our lives are comprised of on a daily basis, along with the surroundings, can have a significant negative impact on our health. While we have a simplified way of work, for instance, with the use of technology, the jobs of today result in sitting our lives away because of the eight hour sedentary occupations, regardless of the time of exercise when not at work. We may not realise, but the environment we live in can greatly influence the ageing process as well as the quality of our life.
Perhaps this is most notable when it comes to the environmental influence connected with hearing loss. A scientific study conducted by Dr. Samuel Rosen and his team uncovered the secrets of the healthy lives of a primitive tribe called Mabaan in southeast Sudan whose hearing was proven to be far superior than that of people living in modern societies. While it had to do with their low-fat diet, it also had to do with their hearing preservation by avoiding noises so much so that they have neither used drums nor guns. The most surprising part was their hearing was still superior even despite ageing – a Mabaan native in his/her old age could have hearing as good as that of a 20-year-old in Western society. The mechanical sounds of modern societies were a complete mystery to the tribe. Considering this research was done more than 50 years ago, imagine doing research comparing Mabaan hearing with the harmful noisy environment of the modern day. The lives we lead make us susceptible to some sort of a hearing loss which is where a hearing aid comes in handy.
It is crucial to get your hearing checked once you notice some changes or problems to get the proper treatment. Deafness can cause issues with self-esteem, plus there are many insecurities resulting in shaking up the harmony in relationships. Once hearing loss is determined, you can easily choose your hearing aid since there is a vast variety designed to suit all requirements and tastes. The convenience of technological inventions and improvements affects hearing aids positively, evolving from the ear trumpet of the 19th century, the vacuum tube hearing device of the beginning of the previous century and the digital devices of the 80s and 90s, to the modern era programmable hearing devices.
If you are concerned about your device being too visible, you can opt for invisible hearing aids such as the IIC (Invisible In The Canal), which is similar but better in design than the CIC (Completely In The Canal). The great thing about them is that they are custom made so they will be designed to fit your ear canal specifically. There are also other types of hearing amplifiers which differ in the way they are worn: BTE (Behind The Ear), the newer OTE (On The Ear) and ITC (In The Canal). Modern hearing amplifiers use digital technology that helps regulate the sound and reduces background noise, and some even can be connected to a TV or phone through Bluetooth or a wireless connection. When taken care of properly and maintained clean, these can be quite durable.
Nowadays, we are surrounded by noise everywhere we go, be it car horns on the streets, listening to music on concerts or your own devices, or being exposed to unbearable sounds at work. Along with being mindful of our eating habits, we should be mindful of our senses and bodies as a whole as well. So, the next time you plan on spending an extra hour with your earphones on, make sure you spend some time enjoying silence instead. Your ears will thank you.
