April 24, 2018

Rest for your ears?

Topic: Education

Sleep apnea may not just affect your sleeping. A disorder that causes the person to pause in breathing during sleep, sleep apnea, is known to cause health problems like heart disease and diabetes. And, according to a study through the Albany Medical Center in New York, sleep apnea may also be linked to hearing loss.

The study of nearly 14,000 individuals found that people suffering from sleep apnea had a 31% increased risk of high frequency hearing loss, a 90% increased risk of low frequency hearing loss and a 38% increased risk of hearing loss throughout the range of hearing.

While the link to hearing loss is unknown, sleep apnea has been associated with blood flow problems. The cochlea, the hearing organ of the inner ear, is highly vulnerable to any reductions in blood flow. So a potential explanation between the sleeping disorder and hearing loss could be problems with blood flow to the inner ear.

If you are dealing with sleep apnea, or have noted speech, especially in background noise, is not as clear as it used to be, you should consider having your hearing tested by a Doctor of Audiology.

As an NDFB member, you will receive a 10% discount on services and products at Professional Hearing Services. PHS has three main offices: Minot, Williston and Bismarck. (The Bismarck PHS office is located in the NDFB building.)