You might not recognize that there are consequences associated with aspirin, ibuprofen, and other over-the-counter pain relievers according to new studies.
Many common pain relievers, including store-bought brands, pose risks to your hearing that you’ll want to weigh when considering taking them. Younger men, amazingly, could carry a higher risk factor.
Pain Killers And Hearing Loss – What The Studies Say
Prestigious universities, such as Vanderbilt, Harvard, and Brigham Young, performed a comprehensive 30 year study. A bi-yearly questionnaire was sent to 27,000 participants between the age of 40 and 74 which included health and lifestyle questions.
Because the questionnaire was so diverse, researchers were uncertain of what they would discover. After looking at the data, they were surprised to find a strong link between loss of hearing and over-the-counter pain relievers.
The data also revealed something even more alarming. Men who are 50 or under who frequently use acetaminophen were almost two times as likely to have hearing loss. Individuals who regularly used aspirin had a 50% chance of experiencing hearing loss. And those who used NSAIDs (naproxen, ibuprofen) had a 61% chance of getting lasting hearing loss.
It was also striking that consuming low doses frequently appeared to be more detrimental to their hearing than taking higher doses once in a while.
It’s important to note this correlation, but it doesn’t definitively reveal whether the pain relievers in fact caused the hearing loss. Causation can only be proven with additional study. But we really need to reconsider our use of these pain relievers after these compelling findings.
Present Theories About The Connection Between Pain Relievers And Hearing Loss
There are several theories as to why pain relievers could result in hearing loss which researchers have come up with.
Your nerves convey the experience of pain to your brain. The flow of blood to a specific nerve is blocked by over-the-counter pain relievers. This disrupts nerve signals that usually communicate with the brain, so you feel a reduced pain level.
There may also be a decrease of blood flow to the inner ear according to researchers. Less blood flow means less nutrients and oxygen. Cells will die from undernourishment if this blood flow is reduced for extended periods.
Acetaminophen, which showed the most appreciable connection, may also lessen the production of a specific protein that helps shield the inner ear from loud noises.
Is There Anything That Can be Done?
The most significant revelation was that men under 50 were more likely to be affected. This verifies that hearing loss doesn’t just affect the elderly. The steps you take when you’re younger can help protect your hearing as you age.
While we aren’t implying that you completely stop taking pain relievers, you should acknowledge that there could be unfavorable repercussions. Take pain relievers as prescribed and minimize how often you take them if possible.
Seek out other pain relief options, including light exercise. It would also be a smart idea to increase the Omega-3 fat in your diet and minimize foods that cause inflammation. These methods have been shown to naturally decrease pain and inflammation while strengthening blood flow.
And finally, make an appointment with us for a hearing examination. Don’t forget, hearing exams are for people of all ages. The best time to start speaking with us about avoiding additional hearing loss is when you under 50.