Ageing and ear health are intrinsically linked, impacting every aspect of our lives from our ability to communicate to our balance. As we age, our ear health may decline due to factors like exposure to loud noises, certain medical conditions, and even genetics. Unsurprisingly, the most significant change people notice is a decline in hearing ability, but there’s more to ear health than just our ability to hear sounds clearly. Ageing can also have a profound effect on our sense of balance, lead to tinnitus, and even be a contributing factor to the development of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
The Connection Between Ageing and Ear Health
As part of the natural ageing process, changes in your ear health can occur. These changes are often gradual, and you may not notice them until they start to interfere with your daily activities or quality of life.
The ear is a complex structure composed of three sections: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each section plays a role in how we hear and maintain balance. With ageing, these sections can suffer a loss of function due to a variety of reasons.
– The outer ear may experience earwax buildup, leading to hearing loss and discomfort.
– The middle ear can undergo changes leading to middle ear infections, causing pain and hearing problems.
– In the inner ear, age-related declines in function can lead to balance issues, tinnitus, and loss of hearing.
Effects of Ageing on Hearing
Ageing has a significant effect on our ability to hear. Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, commonly occurs due to changes in the inner ear as we age, resulting in difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds. But it’s not only the ability to hear sounds that declines. There’s also degradation in understanding speech, which can lead to feelings of isolation and reduced quality of life.
Ageing and Tinnitus
Ageing can also lead to conditions like tinnitus, a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears. Tinnitus can be a symptom of age-related hearing loss or can indicate other health issues, such as high blood pressure or TMJD.
Ageing and Balance Issues
The inner ear is not only responsible for hearing but also plays a vital role in controlling balance. Changes to the inner ear with age can lead to a decrease in balance, causing a higher risk of falls and injuries.
Ageing and TMJD
While temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is often associated with jaw pain, it can also lead to ear problems. Ageing and wear and tear on the jaw joint can contribute to the development of this disorder, leading to symptoms such as ear pain and feelings of ear fullness, often mistaken for ear infections.
Maintaining Ear Health in Ageing
Though ageing and ear health decline are inevitable, there are steps you can take to maintain your ear health:
– Regular hearing tests
– Wearing protection in noisy environments
– Maintaining good cardiovascular health
– Addressing medical concerns like TMJD early
Ageing and ear health are closely connected, so it’s essential that we educate ourselves and take the necessary steps to maintain our ear health as we age, remembering that our ears affect more than just our ability to hear – they impact our communication, balance, and overall quality of life.
