Hearing loss causes
Continuous noise in our environment can lead to minor or severe hearing loss, and both men and women are not aware of the condition until they realize that their hearing has deteriorated to a serious handicap.
This is most commonly a result of people being exposed to harmful noise in the work environment. If you spend 6 to 8 hours daily in a noisy environment, it is certain that you will experience hearing loss to some degree.
The noise-induced hearing loss is often an overlooked problem, mainly because it is noticeable only after several years/decades. But the statistics on the number of people suffering from hearing loss, both work and nonwork-related, is getting needed attention in the last decades.
Over 360 million people worldwide, are suffering from hearing loss to some extent. Enough for agencies and governments to start looking more into this global issue.
“For more detailed information on worldwide hearing loss visit this link.“
With more research and science improving in regards to hearing loss, there have been some interesting discoveries.
Racial and Gender Differences in Hearing Loss
Recent studies show that there actually is a difference between males and females when it comes to hearing loss. The females are a bit more “resistant” to hearing loss, however, there are certain sound waves that are equally harmful to both genders.
But with further research, they found out that the difference in skin tone also means the difference in vulnerability to hearing loss.
“Darker tanned people are less prone to hearing loss than mid or pale-skinned people.”
The reason behind this phenomenon is that the melanin produces cell pigment called melanocytes which serves as the skins protective layer.
All of these studies were conducted on less than a thousand participants, where one-third of them had more severe hearing loss, and also had pale skin. While one third were all black, and darker-skinned people. Also, note that this is not the first time that this was noted.
Other resources indicated the same thing which raised suspicion that there is a difference in hearing loss when it comes to skin color.
“Overall, every research conducted, indicated that dark skin individuals have generally better hearing than mid-tone to pale individuals.”
Even research in a metal factory showed that the darker-skinned people were less prone to hearing loss than their white co-w0rkers.
More research needed
Even though this is just based on statistics, and further research is necessary. These indications have been proven over a period of time.
The scientists are researching the temporal bone (located at the sides and base of the skull) which could explain the connection between ethnic origin and hearing loss.
Who knows, maybe these somewhat strange occurrences and findings in Racial and Gender Differences in Hearing could lead to some revolutionary hearing loss treatments.