Loud noise is not the only threat to hearing health!

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı stated that the duration and frequency of exposure are as important as the sound level for protecting hearing health, and said that habits such as sleeping with headphones and increasing the volume in noisy environments can increase the risk. Saçlı pointed out that even if a standard hearing test is normal, it might be difficult to understand conversations in crowded environments, and added, ‘A complaint such as 'I hear but I can't understand' should be considered an important clue for hearing assessment.’

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı from Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Audiology, made statements on the occasion of October 10 World Audiologists' Day about daily habits threatening hearing health, often overlooked symptoms, and prevention methods.

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı stated that hearing is one of the fundamental elements for safe and independent daily living, as well as for communication, and said, 'Many factors, from noise to headphone use, from some chronic diseases to improper ear cleaning habits, can affect the auditory system. Therefore, protecting hearing health is possible not only by avoiding loud noise but also by approaching all daily life habits more consciously.'

The duration and frequency are as important as the sound level

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı stated that when hearing health is mentioned, aging and loud noise usually come to mind, and noted that noisy work environments and headphone use are among the significant risks.

Emphasizing that sound exposure should be evaluated in multiple dimensions, Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı said, 'A person's mere presence in a noisy environment or using headphones at high volume is not solely determinative for hearing loss. Because, in addition to the level of sound exposure, the duration and frequency of exposure are also critically important.'

Dr. Saçlı pointed out that some choices made while using headphones can increase exposure, and warned, 'Habits such as using headphones in noisy environments and increasing the volume to drown out the noise, or sleeping with headphones, can also increase long-term sound exposure, posing a risk to hearing health.'

Do not increase headphone volume to drown out noise

Providing information about safer listening habits, Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı said, 'In daily use, keeping the volume below approximately 60 percent of the device's maximum level, preferring noise-reducing headphones that isolate external sound instead of increasing the volume in noisy environments, and taking listening breaks is a safer approach.'

Saçlı also stated that not every noise encountered in daily life is at a level that will harm hearing; and added that the effect of sounds such as hair dryers, kitchen appliances, traffic, or music in the gym should be evaluated along with exposure conditions.

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı said, 'Being too close to the sound source, prolonged exposure, or having to raise your voice to maintain a normal conversation in the environment can be an important clue that the noise level is high. Tinnitus, humming, or muffled sounds in the ear after leaving a noisy environment can also indicate excessive exposure.'

Some medications and chronic diseases can also affect hearing

Saçlı stated that the risks affecting the auditory system are not limited to sound alone, and noted that some medications and chemicals, head injuries, and various diseases can also have negative effects on hearing.

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı, stating that 'It is important to be aware of such risks, as some medications and chemicals can affect the balance system as well as hearing,' emphasized that hearing health cannot be considered independently of general health status.

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı explained, 'Especially diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some chronic illnesses can pose additional risks to the auditory system. The presence of chronic diseases in individuals exposed to risks that can lead to hearing loss may contribute to a more severe outcome.'

Even if a hearing test is normal, understanding conversations can become difficult

Saçlı stated that people who have difficulty understanding conversations despite hearing sounds should not ignore this situation, and emphasized the importance of evaluating difficulties experienced especially in restaurants, meetings, and crowded environments.

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı said, 'Difficulty following conversations, especially in restaurants, meetings, or crowded environments, should not be seen merely as distraction or a natural condition of aging. In some individuals, even with a normal standard hearing test, significant difficulty in understanding speech in noise can be observed. Therefore, a complaint such as 'I hear but I can't understand' should be considered an important clue for hearing assessment.'

Trying to clean the ear excessively can be harmful

Saçlı, stating that one of the most common mistakes in ear hygiene is trying to clean the ear excessively, reminded that earwax is a natural defense mechanism.

Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı, stating that interventions in the ear canal can cause harm, warned, 'Interfering with the ear canal using cotton swabs or other objects can push the wax deeper, as well as cause irritation and injury in the ear canal, and even damage the eardrum. Using drops unknowingly or trying to wash the ear is also not correct.'

Saçlı stated that it is often not necessary to regularly clean the ear canal when there are no complaints, and added, 'If there are complaints such as decreased hearing, fullness, pain, discharge, or tinnitus, it should be evaluated whether the cause is truly earwax.'

Hearing difficulty can lead to listening fatigue and social isolation

Emphasizing that the effects of hearing loss are not limited to hearing less, Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı said, 'Constantly exerting more effort to understand a conversation, especially in noisy environments, can cause listening fatigue. Difficulties in communication can, over time, also lead to withdrawal from social environments and feelings of loneliness.'

Saçlı, stating that a relationship has been reported between long-term unaddressed hearing loss, changes in cognitive functions, and the risk of dementia, underlined that this relationship should not be interpreted as a direct cause-and-effect. Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı used the expressions, 'While this relationship should not be considered a direct cause-and-effect, it is clear that early detection and appropriate management of hearing loss are important for overall quality of life.'

It is necessary to reduce risks without waiting for hearing loss

Stating that audiologists play an important role in preserving hearing and early detection of hearing loss, Asst. Prof. Yeter Saçlı concluded his words as follows:

'Instead of waiting for hearing loss, reducing risks, protecting oneself from noise, making headphone use more conscious, avoiding random interventions in the ear, and consulting an audiologist in suspicious situations related to hearing will be important in preserving lifelong hearing health.'