Do you experience hearing loss in one of your ears? This is known as single-sided deafness (SSD). For some, it may manifest itself as a shrill noise that permeates your head with a feeling of pressure. Then the ability to hear is gone. For others, it may be noise-induced, caused by an ear infection, genetic disorder, or a tumor.
In some cases, this type of hearing loss cannot be treated without the use of hearing aids. A hearing aid provider may conduct tests including, pure tone audiometry, bone conduction, loudness discomfort, and word recognition. A Contralateral Routing of Signal (CROS) hearing aid, which is available at Pure Sound Hearing, can be used to treat this type of hearing loss. CROS hearing aids are made for people with severe SSD, also known as unilateral hearing. The average user has fairly normal hearing abilities in one ear, but standard hearing aids can’t help with the other ear. CROS hearing aids are worn in both ears. For the ear that can’t hear, a device is used to harness sound. It then reroutes the sounds to another device that is worn on the other ear. In addition to the sounds that are normally heard in one hearing aid, sounds can also be heard in that same ear from the good ear, without amplifying it. Some users are hopeful that being able to hear additional directions will help them feel more confident while communicating with others. If you need to communicate with a person, background noises can be blocked out so that it’s not distracting. If you’re experiencing SSD and would like a free trial of one of our CROS hearing aids, contact Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. If you need to take a new medication, it’s overwhelming to look at the possible side effects. Sometimes, a prescribed drug can improve one condition, worsen another, or create a new problem. It can be concerning if you need blood pressure (or hypertension) medication and have tinnitus. There have been cases of some blood pressure medication that was associated with tinnitus.
Tinnitus is the phantom noise (a buzzing, ringing, or chirping sound) only a person affected can hear. Tinnitus and hearing loss often go hand-in-hand, but other causes of tinnitus may include ototoxic medications. Work on Controlling High Blood Pressure The American Heart Association revealed that almost half of all American adults experience high blood pressure. When a person has high blood pressure, the force of blood against the blood vessel walls is persistent. The average blood pressure is under 120 mmHg (the upper number) and 80 mmHg (the lower number). If you don’t get proper treatment for high blood pressure, it can lead to heart attack, kidney damage, stroke, and vision loss. Medication and lifestyle changes are helpful. Your healthcare provider can treat high blood pressure with at least one type of prescription drug. There are possible side effects. It’s currently uncertain why some blood pressure medications can induce tinnitus more than others. Some studies have suggested that tinnitus is caused by reduced cochlear blood flow, which happens when medication is taken to lower blood pressure. Blood Pressure Medications and Tinnitus According to a published piece from the National Library of Medicine, the following types of blood pressure medications are generally associated with tinnitus. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) Inhibitors like benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, ramipril, and quinapril are related to tinnitus/ototoxicity. Beta-blockers Some beta-blockers are associated with tinnitus or other types of ototoxicity, including bisoprolol and metoprolol. Diuretics All diuretics cause tinnitus, especially those in the thiazide and potassium-sparing categories. A well-known thiazide diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide (“HCTZ”) and chlorthalidone. Some potassium-sparing diuretics include spironolactone and triamterene. Calcium channel blockers A common and possible cause of tinnitus is calcium channel blockers. These include amlodipine, diltiazem, nicardipine, and nifedipine. Discuss concerns with Healthcare Providers Tinnitus caused by blood pressure medication may not be permanent. The American Academy of Otolaryngology stated that tinnitus usually subsides within 1-2 weeks after a patient stops taking the blood pressure medication. Talk to your primary care physician or cardiologist before you refrain from taking the medication. A high dosage can worsen symptoms of tinnitus caused by medication usage. A lower dosage may be prescribed to reduce tinnitus symptoms. Talk to your provider before lowering your dosage and listen to what is recommended. Blood Pressure Medications that have not been linked to Tinnitus Although there are exceptions, here are some blood pressure medications that are not linked to tinnitus: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) When these are taken on their own, without any other blood pressure medications, they do not induce tinnitus. Examples of ARBs:
There have been some reports of tinnitus when taking ARBs, but usually when combined with diuretics. These include:
Just as some beta blockers can be linked to tinnitus, others are not. Usually, beta blockers don’t cause tinnitus. These include carvedilol and labetalol. What if changing Blood Pressure Medication is Not an Option? Medication is specifically prescribed based on a patient’s heart symptoms. Sometimes you can’t substitute it with another drug. Complete a hearing test and consultation with a hearing healthcare provider. Hearing aids may be a treatment option to mask tinnitus and improve hearing. If you, or a loved one, experiences hearing loss or tinnitus, please contact Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Our hearing aid providers offer hearing aid options that can be custom fit and programmed for your specific hearing needs. The Apple Watch has a feature that lets users measure the decibel levels in their surroundings. This lets you keep clear of loud environments or gives you a chance to learn about the importance of wearing ear protection to avoid hearing loss or additional hearing loss. But what is considered too loud?
The Hearing Health Foundation considers normal conversations to be about 60 decibels (dB). These noises do not have a maximum time limit in regard to hearing loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is not recommended to be exposed to noises that reach at least 70 dB for a prolonged period of time. Examples of noises that are 70 dB or more: A vacuum cleaner or a home washing machine reaches 70 dB. Heavy traffic reaches 80-90 dB. Electric power tools or gas-powered lawnmowers reach 90 dB. A motorcycle engine that’s running can reach 100 dB. Playing music at the highest volume through earbuds or headphones can reach up to 105 dB. Live rock concerts can reach up to 110 dB. An emergency vehicle siren can reach up to 120 dB. A jet engine when it’s taking off from a runway or fireworks can reach up to 140 dB. If you are not sure if a noise level is dangerous, you can open the app to measure your surroundings and see what it picks up. The Noise app allows users to set a decibel threshold and get a notification if their surroundings reach or go past that threshold. If you plan to stay in a loud area for an extended period of time, wear earplugs before entering these environments. Take breaks away from these locations, if necessary. Those who are experiencing hearing loss can contact Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing aid providers. |
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