Research Demonstrates a Connection Between Substance Abuse And Hearing Loss

You're probably aware that the US . is in the midst of an opioid crisis. Over 130 people are dying daily from an overdose. But what you may not have heard yet is that there is a troubling connection between loss of hearing and drug and alcohol abuse.

According to new research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and conducted by a team at the University of Michigan, there's a link between those under fifty who are suffering from hearing loss and abuse of alcohol or other substances.

After analyzing approximately 86,000 participants, they found this link is stronger the younger the person is. What causes the link to begin with, unfortunately, is still not well understood.

Here's what this particular research found:

• When it comes to hearing loss, people older than fifty who developed hearing loss were not different from their peers when it comes to substance abuse.
• People who developed hearing loss under the age of fifty were at least twice as likely to abuse opioids than their peers. Other substances, like alcohol, were also inclined to be misused by this group.
• Individuals who developed hearing loss when they were the ages of 35-49 were twice as likely to develop general substance abuse issues than their peers.

Solutions and Hope

Those figures are shocking, particularly because scientists have already accounted for concerns such as class and economics. So, now that we've recognized a connection, we have to do something about it, right? Keep in mind, correlation is not causation so without knowing the exact cause, it will be hard to directly deal with the issue. Researchers had a couple of theories:

• Higher blood pressure: Of course, it's also true, That blood pressure is raised by alcohol, sometimes to levels that are unhealthy. And both high blood pressure and some pain killers have been shown to harm your hearing.
• Social solitude: It's well established that hearing loss can lead to social isolation and cognitive decline. In these situations, it's common for people to self medicate, especially if the individual in question doesn't really understand the cause–he or she may not even realizethat hearing loss is the issue.
• Lack of communication: Getting people in and out as quickly and efficiently as possible is what emergency departments are designed to do. And if there is a life threatening emergency they can be in even more of a hurry than usual. In these situations, if patients aren't able to communicate very well, say they can't hear questions or instructions from the staff, they might not receive proper treatment. They may not hear dosage advise or other medication guidelines.
• Medications that are ototoxic: These medications are known to cause hearing loss.

Whether these situations increase loss of hearing, or that they are more likely to occur to those with hearing loss, the negative consequences are the same to your health.

Preventing Hearing Loss and Substance Abuse

It's recommended by the writers of the study, that communications protocols be kept up to date by doctors and emergency responders. It would help if doctors were on the lookout for individuals with loss of hearing, in other words. We individuals don't get help when we need to and that would also be extremely helpful.

The following question should be asked of your doctor:

• Will I get addicted to this drug? Is there an alternative medicine that is less dangerous for my hearing, or do I really need this one.
• Will I have an ototoxic response to this drug? What are the alternatives?

Never leave a doctor's office with medicines unless you are completely clear on their dangers, how they should be taken and how they impact your overall health.

In addition, if you believe you are suffering from hearing loss, don't wait to get checked. If you ignore your hearing loss for only two years you will increase your health care costs by 26%. So make an appointment now to have your hearing tested.