There are other risks that can worsen the harmful effects of sound

Some of these can be changed by you and some cannot

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Risks you can protect from

• Head injuries and falls by wearing proper head protection and getting immediate medical treatment for any falls 

• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid diseases

• Smoking, vaping

• Second-hand smoke 

• Vaccination not up-to-date

• Poor nutrition

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Risks you cannot change

• Age above 65

• Prior infections such as frequent ear infections, meningitis

• Genetic conditions such as Usher’s syndrome, Hunter’s, Friedreich’s ataxia, Meniere’s disease

• Otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in ear)

• Prior head trauma from sports

• Prior falls with head impact

• Gender (male), Race (Caucasian)

• Bell's Palsy​​