As we all know, humans have 5 senses - many scientists argue that there are in fact many more. However the common response to the question, 'how many sense are there?' is 5. The classification of these 5 senses has been attributed to the philosopher Aristotle. He explored the senses and referred to them as the ways in which we perceive the world around us
Sight
This is the unique ability of our brains and eyes to take different waves of light and reconstruct them to produce an image of what is around us.
Touch
Our fingertips are a highly sensitive tool that can be used to make sense of what we are seeing. When vision is impaired, touch is the next best thing at helping us to 'see.'
Taste
Food glorious food, the millions of taste buds that sit on our tongue allow us to savour all the gastronomical wonders of the world
Smell
Working in conjunction with our taste buds, tiny receptors in the nostrils send messages to the brain which dissect and classify different aromas
Hearing
The most basic form of communication relies on out ability to hear well. Speech and hearing go hand in hand.
Whilst there are conditions that can affect all of the above senses, there are only two which commonly diminish with age.
Our sight deteriorates with age, as we get older many of us will find that we need to wear reading glasses. As time goes on, we may find that we need permanent aids to our sight. As with age, our hearing is the other sense that often gets worse over time. But why is it that there are only two senses that get worse with age when the other stay relatively in tact?
With regards to our hearing, it is thought that the complexity of the hearing system has got something to do with it. Damage to the cochlea (tiny hair cells in the ear) is the most common cause of hearing loss. These tiny hairs are so very delicate and extremely necessary to our hearing. As we get older these delicate cells can get damaged due to general wear and tear which leads to hearing loss later in life. Our lifestyle over the years can also contribute to hearing loss in later life.
Loud noises may not have an immediate effect on your hearing however frequent exposure to loud noises can damage the cochlea and bring on age related hearing loss sooner. Stress is also a factor that can cause damage to the cochlea. In order to function well, the cochlea rely on a regular supply of oxygen which is fed to them by the blood. During times of stress, blood vessels constrict meaning less oxygen is carried throughout the body.
With so many areas that can go wrong, there is no surprise that hearing is one of the few sense that diminish with age, making it imperative that you book a hearing test whenever you detect any changes.
Author Resource:
Written by Jamie Lyons on behalf of Digital hearing care providers of hearing aids, and Hearing Aid Talk the number one hearing aid forum in the UK.
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