Reducing Stress Induced Hearing Loss in Mesa
Stress is a normal aspect of life that we cannot avoid. Many daily things can trigger a stressful reaction such as a hard workload, family loss and drama, and physical health issues. However, stress is neither normal nor healthy when it extends for many weeks consecutively. Most people are familiar with the mental symptoms of stress. They may report feeling tired, nervous, overwhelmed, and reacting to stimuli faster and more impulsively. They also may report sleeping less and symptoms of depression.
However, many people are unaware of the other effects stress bears on the body such as hearing. Stress has a direct correlation with hearing loss and can be damaging no matter the age. Dr. Cassandra Fynes provides patients with this useful guide about stress and stress induced hearing loss in Mesa and how to cope with stress to reduce the severity of hearing loss.
How does stress affect my body?
Stress affects your body in many ways beyond mental health. When you feel stressed, your body releases hormones such as cortisol into your bloodstream, which carries it all around your body. One of the effects of stress is increased blood pressure also known as hypertension. Increased blood pressure affects hearing directly. With increased blood pressure, your delicate blood vessels that carry the blood to your ear tissues can become compromised leading to decreased blood flow. Less blood flow can impact hearing as vital tissues may die. There are small signs in the beginning that may suggest that are you are in the early stages of hearing loss.
What signs should I look for?
The signs of hearing loss are often difficult to distinguish from normal hearing difficulties. One of the signs may be a difficulty hearing the radio or TV. You may find that you struggle to hear conversations or soft tones. Another common issue that plagues people who are in the early stages of hearing loss is tinnitus or ringing in the ears. Many people report tinnitus as suddenly hearing a ringing that no one else can hear. It occurs randomly and can affect one or both ears. Feeling like your ears are stuffed or sore are other symptoms that may indicate hearing loss. If you feel like you suffer from any of the symptoms, Dr. Fynes can perform a test to determine if you suffer from stress induced hearing loss.
Will controlling my stress help fight hearing loss?
One of the biggest steps you can take in controlling and slowing the progression of your stress induced hearing loss is learning how to reduce your stress. There are many ways for you to manage your stress and ensure that your daily life is not as stressful. One of the techniques that you can employ is spending some time for yourself where you take care of yourself and not have to worry about chores or other work related activities. You can take a hike, talk to family members to release tension, or take a bath. Another technique that works to reduce stress is to take deep breaths and step away from your stressor for a few minutes. It is vital that you learn how manage your stress or the stress will continue to negatively impact your hearing.
If you continue to struggle with hearing loss symptoms, Dr. Fynes can schedule a hearing assessment in which she will test your current hearing range. She can also recommend other methods to reduce your stress and by extension your blood pressure. You can call the office at (480) 456-0176 to schedule an appointment or reach out online to learn more about her wide variety of services.
