Beltone notes hearing loss trend among gamers
According to Garrett Morgan, owner of Beltone in Big Spring, clinics in the Permian Basin have reported an increase in hearing loss among young people in particular gamers.
“They are complaining that the sound is muffled in their headsets,” explained Morgan. Gamers tend to spend long hours with high volume sounds which is causing significant hearing loss that is permanent.
“Once the damage is done, there's no getting it back,” Morgan explained. But there are preventative measures one can take to prevent damage to hearing and still enjoy gaming and entertainment on our electronic devices.
Because exposure to decibel levels greater than 80 for long periods of time can cause permanent damage, the volume on devices should be set at a safe level. “All devices have a standard setting,” said Morgan and explained that wearing a headset or ear buds should be limited to 30 minutes at a time.
Gamers are spending 8 hours or more at a time with the volume at high levels, listening to explosions, gun fire and other sound effects which accounts for the 60 to 70 percent increase of younger clients over the past two years.
Keeping the volume at a safe level, limiting game play, taking frequent breaks and wearing protective ear plugs when attending sporting events or concerts are good ways to prevent permanent hearing loss.
Statistics show that two-thirds of the population will have significant hearing loss by the age of 70.
“A hearing evaluation is a window into overall health,” explained Morgan and included that an exam can help a patient discover other diagnoses such as diabetes, heart disease, middle ear problems, identify tumors or other malformations.
Physical ailments aren't all hearing loss effects. The biggest problem is clarity especially with couples as Morgan
The Beltone clinic is ready to schedule free hearing exams at its Big Spring location 104 W Marcy Dr., Big Spring, TX 79720; phone - (432) 263-6181. Pictured are Michele Wells, Patient Care Coordinator; Garrett Morgan, owner; Steve Dimmitt, Hearing Instructor; and Becky Cross, Hearing Specialist.
explained. “I’ve talked to many couples who have relationship problems because one of them can’t hear or understand what the other one is saying leading to communication difficulties and misunderstandings.”
When hearing loss becomes significant for any reason it can result in loss of friendships and problems at work.
Often, instead of seeking help, the person suffering from loss in hearing becomes isolated and secluded.
Support of family and friends can help encourage a person that’s having problems hearing to seek help.
Anyone over 40 should have a hearing evaluation, said Morgan. The free exam takes about 30 minutes.
Relationships and workplace problems aren’t all that hearing loss has been linked to as a new study has shown.
Researchers at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that older adults with greater severity of hearing loss were more likely to have dementia, but the likelihood of dementia was lower among hearing aid users compared to nonusers.
The findings, from a nationally representative sample of more than 2,400 older adults, are consistent with prior studies showing that hearing loss might be a contributing factor to dementia risk over time, and that treating hearing loss may lower dementia risk.
The findings are highlighted in a research letter published online January 10 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
“This study refines what we’ve observed about the link between hearing loss and dementia, and builds support for public health action to improve hearing care access,” says lead author Alison Huang, PHD, MPH, a senior research associate in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Epidemiology and at the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, also at the Bloomberg School.
Hearing loss is a critical public health issue affecting two-thirds of Americans over 70. The growing understanding that hearing loss might be linked to the risk of dementia, which impacts millions, and other adverse outcomes has called attention to implementing possible strategies to treat hearing loss.
For the new study, Huang and colleagues analyzed a nationally representative dataset from the National
Health and Aging Trends Study, the NHATS has been ongoing since 2011, and uses a nationwide sample of Medicare beneficiaries over age 65, with a focus on the 90-and-over group.
The analysis covered 2,413 individuals, about half of whom were over 80 and showed a clear association between severity of hearing loss and dementia. Prevalence of dementia among the participants with moderate/severe hearing loss was 61 percent higher than prevalence among participants who had normal hearing. Hearing aid use was associated with a 32 percent lower prevalence of dementia in the 853 participants who had moderate/severe hearing loss.
The study also shows that over 1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to increasing exposure to recreational loud sounds. There are estimated to be more than 2.5 billion video gamers around the world, with the average gamer playing more than 8 hours per day. Listening at loud volumes or for long periods of time poses a risk of potential hearing loss among gamers. As a gamer, your sound is your edge in the game.
To maintain an A-level game while playing: Keep the volume below 60 percent of the maximum. Take regular breaks. Check on your kids and the volume levels they are gaming at…
Have a hearing test done yearly even at a young age!
“We are here to help our community as much as possible to maintain relationships with friends and family.”
For more information or to schedule a free exam call any of the clinics located throughout the Permian Basin.
• Midland Clinic
4519 N Garfield Ste. 8, Midland, TX 79705
Phone - (432) 682-2180
Fax - (432) 684-5732
• Odessa Clinic
4011 JBS Parkway, Odessa, TX 79762 Phone - (432) 332-0519
Fax - (432) 337-7787
• Big Spring Clinic
104 W Marcy Dr., Big Spring, TX 79720
Phone - (432) 263-6181
Fax - (432) 263-6182
• Snyder Clinic
2703 College Ave, Snyder, TX 79549 Phone - (325) 515-5233
Fax - (432) 263-6182
• Alpine Clinic
402 E Holland Ave, Alpine, TX 79830 Phone - (432)332-0519
Fax - (432) 337-7787