Five sense organs present in the human body also known as afferent neurons are eyes, ears, tongue, nose and skin. With these organs, our body responds to surroundings through sensory neurons that are sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Ear, one of the major sensory organs, is a receptor organ responsible for sensing auditory information. Not only ears enable hearing by picking up sound waves for us but also aid body balance using the vestibular system.

However, as we age, just like other ailments catching hold of our body, hearing loss starts to occur. Statistically, a human starts to lose minor hearing capabilities in their forties and major hearing loss occurs at the age of seventies and beyond.

Broadly hearing loss is categorised as follows: 

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

A type of hearing loss that is permanent, this happens when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve.

Conductive Hearing Loss

This type of hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear. It can be due to earwax build-up or a punctured eardrum. It is only through surgery that conductive hearing loss can be reversed.

Presbycusis

As a person gets older, presbycusis starts to affect the auditory nerve. Primarily hereditary or age related, it may also occur because of damage to the inner ear. Affecting both ears, presbycusis makes it hard for a person to tolerate loud sounds.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus, typically described as ringing, hissing or buzzing in the ears, it is often a first sign of hearing loss in old agers. Also caused by damage to the ear canal, this can be a symptom of other health ailments as well.

Also Read: Tinnitus: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

In order to keep an incessant functioning of this important sensory organ, intake of all vitamins and minerals for hearing health is essential. All cruciferous vegetables, bananas, melons, yoghurt, nuts, seeds, avocados, milk and dairy foods are rich sources of minerals  that can be safely incorporated into the diet.

Foray through this infographic to find what these vitamins and minerals do to prevent hearing loss.