Episode 95 - Protect Your Ears - Reduce Your Risk of Tinnitus and Hearing Loss with Dr. Ben Thompson

Do you or someone you know suffer from Tinnitus, otherwise known as that annoying constant ringing in the ear?  What about hearing loss? Hearing matters to all of us, and its loss can be devastating as it can change our quality of life. When we lose our hearing, we are more likely to detract from social engagement and communication. We also are more likely to isolate ourselves from conversations, miss certain words and meanings, and less likely to engage in family gatherings because we can’t hear or are struggling to hear what people are saying. 

Social isolation is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Connecting with our family, friends and community is beneficial for our brains as it helps to keep our minds active and prevents atrophy. Without regular social or mental stimulation, our brains can start to lose their connections.

Taking care of our ears has a direct impact on the health of our brains. When we treat hearing loss, it can restore our communication functions, allowing us to stay socially engaged and active. This helps us maintain cognitive function and prevent dementia as we age. Ear health is the key to social engagement and a better quality of life.

In this episode, Dr. Ben Thompson, audiologist and founder of Treble Heath, provides useful insight on the causes of Tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as how to prevent it. He also shares the possible connections between hearing loss and dementia or Alzheimer's Disease and what steps we can take to reduce the risk of these illnesses. Having more knowledge will help us better prepare for any potential health issues that come our way.

Let’s jump in!

 

Snapshot of the Key Points from the Episode:

[01:40] What is an audiologist, and what inspired Ben in this field?

[03:46] Statistics on the predominance of Tinnitus and its most common causes

[07:10] The available options if you start noticing or hearing ringing in the ears

[11:30] The connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline. The link between tinnitus and hearing loss

[16:22] If you like sleeping with white noise, is there a possibility you have Tinnitus? Find out!

[21:10] The likelihood of people having hearing loss as they age

[24:47] Tinnitus and hearing symptoms to look out for and prevention measures

About Dr. Ben Thompson -  

Dr. Ben Thompson is an audiologist and tinnitus expert. He received his Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) degree in 2018 from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, California. Dr. Thompson completed his residency at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and is a past board member of the California Academy of Audiology (CAA). He received a certificate of competence in Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) from Dr. Pawel Jastreboff in 2021. Dr. Jastreboff is the founder of TRT.

Dr. Thompson founded Treble Health (formerly known as Pure Tinnitus) in 2020. He has a popular YouTube channel and has created over 100 educational videos about tinnitus management and hearing health. Outside work, he enjoys outdoor adventure sports like trail running and surfing.

How to connect with Dr. Ben Thompson:

Website: https://treblehealth.com/ben-thompson-audiologist/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benthompsonaud

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci3sx8wv95B/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@treblehealth

 

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