A recent report published by the American Lung Association mentions that in America, the average person suffers from as many as four common colds every year. We may not bat an eyelid when it comes to thinking about catching a cold, but in reality, even the common cold may cost us our hearing.
We often think that colds are harmless little infections that clear up on their own or with the help of some over the counter medication. Prolonged congestion, however, can result in subsequent ear infections, which can lead to damage to the inner ear and result in hearing loss.
The problem with ear infections is that over time, they tend to become resistant to antibiotic medications. This is why it is important to keep a close watch on your cold symptoms and get medical help the moment you notice any of the symptoms mentioned below.
If you feel any pain in your ears or find any sort of discharge being emitted from the ears, it is time to seek medical advice. This can mean that you have an ear infection, which can lead to hearing loss if it is not treated in a timely manner.
Hearing loss is often taken lightly by those who do not suffer from it. In reality, hearing loss can give rise to several other serious health conditions, such as dementia, heart disease, and depression. Hearing loss can even result in injuries due to falling. Overall, untreated hearing loss increases annual medical costs by a whopping 46%!
If you have hearing loss, you even run a 50% chance of being hospitalized and readmitted to hospital even after discharge. These costs can take a severe toll on you and your loved ones. With so many disadvantages of having hearing loss, it is time to take even the simple common cold seriously.