Doctor warns daily habit could lead to unexpected hearing issue for kids
TV doctor and health guru Michael Mosley is warning parents that one daily habit could be affecting their child's hearing.
This Morning regular Michael, 66, has spent a decade trying to help us all become healthier by sleeping better, doing more exercise, and eating well. But when the doctor and author noticed his hearing change and was fitted with a hearing aid, he made it his mission to raise awareness of ear health and hearing loss.
"I am quite happy to have a hearing aid and I am a big fan of knowing what is going on - it is better to do something about it sooner than later," he told The Mirror.
The health expert says that we must protect our children from hearing loss from a young age. He warns if children are often around people who smoke near them, this could cause ear problems. "Smoking can affect your hearing and can put children at risk of ear infections," he explained.
The NHS reports that children are more likely to get glue ear if they are exposed to smoke inhalation. Glue ear is a common childhood condition where the middle ear becomes filled with fluid, where normally it is filled with air. The fluid makes it difficult for sounds to pass through to the hearing organ. This can make quiet sounds harder for your child to hear.
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The NHS states: "Children are more likely to be affected if they have had repeated ear infections and colds. Another main factor has been found to be exposure to second hand cigarette smoke as this can irritate the lining of parts of the ear causing it to become inflamed.
"Second hand smoke is the smoke breathed out by a smoker plus the smoke created by the lit end of the cigarette. It can contain arsenic, benzene and cyanide and is invisible and odourless."
A study by the National Library of Medicine found that 65.7% of smokers who took part have a hearing impairment, compared with just 15% of the non smokers. As the ages in the study increased, the percentage of the affected individuals also increased, with greater percentages of the smokers being affected in comparison to the non smokers.
Michael also warned parents that children could end up with an ear infection if they are exposed to too much noise. "If you start as early as possible to avoid hearing loss, the better - the main thing to do is to avoid too much loud noise," he said.
The expert advised that parents monitor the levels of their child's headphones - ensuring they are not too loud - plus he says children should "not sit at the front of a concert." He added: "I tell my kids to not sit at the front of a concert all the time. Sometimes parents use protective ear covers which can work."
Exposing children to second hand smoke could cause them hearing problems, warns health guru Michael Mosley (Getty Images)Michael also advises getting regular ear check-ups. He continued: "You can get free tests so why wouldn't you go, but you can book an appointment with Specsavers so you can get reassurance. Once you are measured you know.
"A lot of people have to have earwax removed when they go, the worst thing you can do is ram a cotton bud down it. If you book an appointment you can get it vacuumed out and you can also use special oils."
Michael said he began noticing his hearing was deteriorating when he would repeatedly say 'what?' in public places. He added: "Specsavers say more than half of people realise their hearing is going wrong but don't do anything about it. I noticed when I was in pubs and restaurants I noticed that was a sign. If you keep saying 'what?' that is a sign, as well as using subtitles on the telly, or not hearing the front door or your phone ringing."
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