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According to a 2020 report by The Lancet, hearing loss is one of the most preventable risk factors for cognitive diseases such as dementia, accounting for 8% of dementia cases.
Acoustic Transmission Medium
In physics, sound is a mechanical wave that propagates through a medium, such as gas, liquid, or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is perceived when the brain interprets these waves.
Sound waves require a medium to travel; they cannot propagate in a vacuum due to the absence of particles. The human auditory system can perceive sound waves within the frequency range of 20Hz to 20KHz, which is known as the audio range.
Acoustic Transmission Pathway
2. The vibrations are transmitted from the eardrum to the ossicles (a set of small bones in the middle ear, also solids). The ossicles amplify these vibrations and send them to the cochlea (a fluid-filled structure in the inner ear).
3. Within the cochlea, tiny hair cells are set into motion by the vibrations and send electrical signals to the auditory nerve.
Sound waves (mechanical waves) transmit
through the air (a gas) and enter the ear canal.
4. The auditory nerve carries these signals to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
1. The sound waves reach the eardrum (a solid) and cause it to vibrate.
Areas Causing Hearing Loss
Infection or natural problems with the bones in the middle ear.
Damage to neural structures can also cause hearing loss by impairing the conversion of sound vibrations into neural signals that can be interpreted by the brain.
Inner ear damage due to aging or exposure to loud noise. This type of hearing loss occurs when the hair cells or nerve cells in the cochlea, responsible for sending sound signals to the brain, become damaged and are unable to transmit electrical signals effectively.
Degeneration or damage to the eardrum
Causes of Hearing Loss
Causes of Hearing Loss:
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Natural Aging: The cochlea and auditory nerve cells undergo gradual degeneration with age, leading to hearing loss, typically starting around the age of 50.
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Ear Diseases: Conditions such as earwax obstruction, ear canal collapse, fungal infections, eardrum perforations, otitis media, ossicular sclerosis, or acoustic neuroma can contribute to hearing loss.
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Disease or Drug Effects: Certain diseases like mumps, measles, syphilis, urticaria, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes; or long-term use of ototoxic drugs such as high-dose aspirin, diuretics, antibiotics, etc., can affect hearing.
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External Force Injury: Falls or accidents resulting in head trauma can damage the eardrum or ossicles, leading to hearing loss.
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Noise Exposure: Prolonged exposure to environmental noise or loud headphones can harm auditory cells. Once damaged, these cells do not regenerate.
Types of Hearing Loss
Types of Hearing Loss:
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Conductive Hearing Loss: Often caused by obstructions such as earwax buildup, tympanic membrane perforations, middle ear effusions, ossicular chain disruptions, or infections like otitis media. These conditions can frequently be addressed with medical or surgical interventions.
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Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, often due to prolonged exposure to loud noise, genetic factors, aging, ototoxic medications, or conditions like acoustic neuroma.
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Central Hearing Loss: Occurs within the central auditory pathways in the brain. It may stem from neurological disorders or brain injuries and can lead to difficulties in processing auditory information, affecting memory and comprehension.
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Mixed Hearing Loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, where both the outer or middle ear and the inner ear or auditory nerve are affected.
Early Symptoms and Signs of Hearing Loss:
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Difficulty in Hearing Sounds: Often, individuals may not hear or clearly hear the doorbell or telephone ringing. It’s common for someone to not hear or respond when called from behind.
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Challenges in Noisy Environments: There may be trouble hearing what others are saying in restaurants or noisy places. On the phone, conversations can be unclear, necessitating a higher volume to understand.
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Changes in Music Perception: Familiar music may sound different than before, indicating a change in auditory perception.
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Volume Adjustments: Family members might frequently ask to lower the volume on the television or radio, as it may be too loud for them.
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Speech Clarity: Words may seem unclear, requiring others to repeat themselves. In group discussions, it can be difficult to follow or hear clearly.
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Loudness Complaints: Others may complain that you speak too loudly, which could be a sign of hearing loss.
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Rustling Sound Test: Placing your thumb and index finger next to your ear and rubbing them together should produce a rustling sound. If you don’t hear this, it could indicate hearing loss.
Early symptoms & signs of hearing impairments
Definition of hearing impairment
Complications of Hearing Loss:
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Social and Emotional Impact: Hearing loss can significantly affect social interactions, leading to reduced participation in conversations and social activities. This can result in feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, and a decrease in self-confidence.
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Physical and Mental Fatigue: The strain of trying to hear and understand speech can lead to increased mental fatigue. The brain may compensate for the lack of auditory input by relying more on other senses, which can be exhausting over time.
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Cognitive Decline: Studies have indicated that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, including conditions like dementia. Corrective measures such as hearing aids may mitigate this risk.
Hearing Damage and Brain Health
Hearing Loss and Accelerated Brain Atrophy:
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Recent studies have revealed a concerning link between hearing loss and the rate of brain atrophy, particularly in older adults. Research conducted by experts at Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging has shown that individuals with hearing loss experience a more rapid decline in brain volume compared to those with normal hearing1. Specifically, the study found that people with hearing loss lose over one cubic centimeter of brain tissue annually, with significant atrophy observed in key areas such as the superior, middle, and inferior temporal gyri. These regions are crucial for processing auditory information and are also involved in language and memory functions.
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One hypothesis for this phenomenon is that hearing loss forces the brain to work harder to interpret sounds, leading to increased cognitive load and potential strain on other cognitive systems. This extra effort may come at the expense of cognitive resources, contributing to accelerated brain shrinkage.
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The implications of these findings are profound, suggesting that hearing loss may not only affect an individual’s ability to communicate but also their overall cognitive health. It underscores the importance of early detection and intervention for hearing loss, such as the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants, which may help mitigate the risk of cognitive decline.
Global Prevalence and Impact of Hearing Loss:
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Approximately 35% of individuals aged 65 and older experience some degree of hearing loss.
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Despite the need, only about 13% of those who could benefit from hearing aids actually use them.
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Annually, there are nearly 10 million new cases of dementia worldwide.
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It is projected that by 2039, the number of individuals living with dementia worldwide will reach 139 million, nearly doubling from the current estimate of 55.2 million. This significant increase underscores the growing impact of dementia as a global health challenge, affecting millions of lives across different countries and cultures.
Barriers to Hearing Aid Adoption:
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Cost: The high expense of hearing aids can be prohibitive for many individuals.
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Comfort: Discomfort or pain when wearing hearing aids can deter users from regular use.
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Battery Life: Frequent battery changes due to short battery life can be inconvenient.
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Complexity: The operation of hearing aids can be complex, requiring a learning curve for users.
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Maintenance: Regular maintenance and repairs are necessary, which can be a hassle for some.
Dai3mimi : designed to overcome the limitations of traditional devices
Dai3mimi Material Conduction Technology
Sound Transmission Pathway
Innovative Hearing Aid Technology:
A novel material has been engineered, combining metal and plastic, to facilitate the direct transmission of sound waves through the skull to the inner ear. This design bypasses the outer ear, eardrum, and middle ear, areas prone to infection and damage. Consequently, this approach enhances sound clarity and simplifies auditory processing for individuals with hearing impairments. It is versatile, catering to a spectrum of hearing aid requirements, from mild to severe.
Our proprietary “push” hearing technology actively delivers natural sounds to the user without amplification, significantly enriching their auditory experience. This is particularly advantageous for seniors experiencing cognitive hearing loss.
Air Transmission Pathway
Traditional Hearing aids Technology
Material Conduction Technology
Amplify the sound pressure
Ear Drum > Middle Ear > Inner Ear
Limitations and Problems Caused by Using Air Transmission Hearing Aids:
Air transmission hearing aids, which deliver sound directly through the air to the inner ear, can present several challenges: