5. The numbers associated with hearing loss among veterans are concerning.
The statistics regarding hearing loss among veterans are downright scary, with 60 percent of veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan being affected. In fact, research shows that more than a million of those who have served report tinnitus, impaired hearing, or other auditory issues.
If you’re a veteran who has been affected by hearing loss, there are programs that can help. The Hearing Health Foundation offers a free magazine designed to help military personnel cope with hearing issues as well as links to various treatment options.
6. There are three types of hearing loss.
There is more than one type of hearing loss. In fact, there are three types.
The first is called conductive hearing loss. This revolves around issues in the ear canal, eardrum, or the middle ear and the bones associated with it. The second is called sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). This is also called nerve-related hearing loss and involves issues in the inner ear. The third is known as mixed hearing loss, which is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
7. Diabetes and hearing loss go hand in hand.
Studies have found that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes as those who do not suffer from diabetes. And people with prediabetes are nearly a third more likely to develop hearing loss than those with normal blood glucose levels. While it’s not known why these hearing changes occur, it is thought that high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the inner ear.