#HearingLoss

A recent research review has uncovered a striking connection between tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears with no external cause, and one of the body’s most important restorative processes: deep sleep. With around 15% of the global population suffering from tinnitus—many experiencing significant distress, sleep disturbances, and even depression—this finding could signal new directions for symptom management and treatment for millions, including Thais impacted by this commonly misunderstood condition ScienceAlert.

Hearing loss, a mostly silent and gradual process, is emerging as a significant health concern among ageing populations worldwide, and Thailand is no exception. Recent research published in The New York Times underscores how everyday choices—such as prolonged exposure to loud noise, and even common habits like using cotton swabs—can accelerate the decline of hearing, a condition already driven by genetics and ageing. Yet experts insist that much of this threat is avoidable. As new evidence links untreated hearing loss to dementia and depression in later years, learning to protect one’s hearing has never been more crucial—especially for Thai readers likely to encounter both environmental and lifestyle risks.

A new study sheds light on why certain people find it particularly difficult to follow conversations in noisy environments, identifying changes in a vital brain region known as the insula. Published this week in the journal Brain and Language, the research from the University at Buffalo shows that the left insula in individuals who struggle with “speech-in-noise” tasks works harder and displays altered connectivity—even when the brain is supposedly at rest—possibly explaining persistent listening difficulties as well as links to cognitive decline and dementia (Neuroscience News).