The news coverage of the opioid epidemic in the United States has had an almost singular emphasis on the tragic increase in opioid overdose fatalities, but a new study serves as a good reminder that it is important to overlook the many other exceedingly dangerous long-term health consequences of chronic opioid use.
The researchers conducted interviews with 23 men who admitted to abusing opioids and found that an opioid use disorder can create a heightened risk of hearing loss even among men who had never been exposed loud noises in their past, and opioid abusers who had been exposed to loud noises for recreational or occupational reasons, faced even greater risk of hearing damage as a result of their opioid use.
While the sample size of the research was small, the discovery is quite significant, suggesting that opioid addiction can increase someone’s risk of hearing loss by as much as 50-100%. These risks deserve more scientific study and media attention.
If you think that you or someone you love may be developing an addiction to opioids, you should speak to a certified addiction specialist as soon as possible. Opioid addiction is a progressive disease and it will get worse if left untreated.
The Asana Recovery Center offers a comprehensive supervised detoxification and residential treatment program designed to help those struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our program and facilities today.
