Symptoms:
One's sense of hearing is lessening.

Cause:
It may be that the sense of hearing is being lost. But it also may be that the ear has too much impacted earwax. (See "Earwax" for how to remove it.)

A manganese or tin deficiency in the diet can result in a hearing loss. Putting these back into the diet can reverse this, and restore the hearing.

Other possible causes would include: Milk allergies, poor ear circulation, and vitamin A deficiency.

The ear drums might be hardened with age. This generally accompanies hardening of the arteries.

Catarrhal deafness could be the problem. This starts when an acute infection (such as a cold or the flu) is suppressed and not allowed to run its course and be properly eliminated. A low level infection continues in the ear, and gradually ruins the hearing.

When acute diseases are treated with aspirin or quinine, partial or complete deafness can result. Other drugs which cause this effect are aureomycin, streptomycin, barbiturates, cocaine, opium, and their derivatives.

Smoking and caffeine cause spasms and narrowing of blood vessels.

Other substances to avoid would include lead, mercury, and cadmium.

Excessive amounts of noise injures the fine structures in the inner ear and gradually produces deafness.

Some people have occupational hazards which eventually lead to deafness. This includes piloting small planes and running chain saws or heavy equipment.

Treatment:
• Consider the above factors.

• Clean the ears, make sure manganese and tin are in the diet (take Nova Scotia dulse or Norwegian kelp). Take pulse tests and gradually eliminate food allergies. If milk is the problem, cut out all milk products from the diet. Avoid medicinal drugs, chemicals, and loud noises

• Eat a wholesome, nutritious diet, with vitamin/mineral supplements. Drink fresh vegetable juices.

• Eliminate processed, sugared, and junk foods from the diet.

• In case there is an inflammation in the ear which causes the hearing loss: Mullein oil can be put in the ear as ear drops. 2-4 drops of warm (not hot) garlic oil or liquid extract is also good. Do not use the same dropper in both ears, as it may spread the infection. Eat fresh pineapple.

• If you seem to have pain in the ear, pull on the earlobe. If the pain increases, then you probably have an ear infection. If the pain does not increase, you may have a dental problem.

Prevention:
Always wear ear protection when using appliances or equipment which produce loud noises. This would include power tools, chain saws, lawn mowers, table or portable saws, and target practice. Use ear plugs rated for at least twice as many decibels as you need, to ensure protection.

When listening to music, it should never be so loud you cannot hear the ring of the doorbell or the telephone. If you use earphones, no one else should be able to hear sound from your earphones. If they can, you are playing the music too loud for the safety of your ears!

The average rock concert or stereo headset at higher levels (100 decibels, plus) can damage your hearing in 30 minutes. Two hours in a video game arcade can do the same thing. By comparison, an air hammer is 120 decibels.

Wear ear plugs when swimming in public places.

Reduce your cholesterol level. Those with high cholesterol have greater hearing loss as they age.

Do not get German measles while you are pregnant. If you are vaccinated for it, do not become pregnant for 3 months afterward. The ensuing birth defects to the child could include hearing loss.

Beware of medications during pregnancy.

Make sure your infant has good hearing. If not discovered, he or she will miss much instruction in a variety of speaking skills. Generally, you will be the first one to learn if such a problem exists, not the doctor.