Hearing loss: what it is and what impact it has on our lifestyle

) is a decrease in hearing capacity that recognizes various causes, such as advancing age, incorrect lifestyles, work in noisy environments and diseases affecting the ear. With the exception of cases of sudden or traumatic deafness, hearing loss evolves slowly and progressively, sometimes to the point of inability to hear a sound in one or both ears.Hearing loss is a more widespread problem than one might think: people over 55 years of age are affected more frequently. In fact, the ear structures also undergo physiological aging and, with the passing of time, over the years, they tend to no longer function with the same precision and efficiency. Underestimating the loss of hearing is a mistake, since, if left untreated, it affects the quality of life: hearing loss is related to a greater tendency to isolation, loneliness and depression. Stress and fatigue can also contribute to accelerate the cognitive decline. "A loss of hearing - underlines Roberto Albera, professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Turin - could cause the loss of cells of the cerebral cortex, which can no longer be replaced, with irreversible damage to the brain "Also for this reason - underlines Albera - a correct therapeutic approach allows to reduce the negative anatomical and functional effects".

, even for short periods, it induces improvements in cognitive abilities, explains Professor Ettore Cassandro, otolaryngologist at the University of Salerno. "In two of our recent studies, published in Brain Connectivity come on Scientific Reports, we have demonstrated the "existence of a relationship between" continuous use of a hearing aid and cognitive abilities: wearing hearing aids for six months improves cognitive performance, including memory "suggesting the possibility that in the long term this activity may counteract the "onset of cognitive decline.

can avoid the most negative consequences. Hearing prevention and hearing control are two normal actions to do, like any other health check, for example, that of sight or smile.

Hearing loss can be controlled with periodic visits and possibly intervene with a suitable hearing solution. The first step to better deal with hearing loss is to serenely recognize the difficulty in understanding words and perceiving sounds. Secondly, it is good to undergo to a specialist visit for the evaluation of hearing abilities and to detect the possible presence of hearing loss from the first symptoms, to establish the degree and to consider the most suitable solution for the management of one's own case and individual needs.

Thanks to a greater sensitivity towards prevention, today we have many options to deal with and manage hearing loss in an effective and minimally invasive way.