Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can quickly sneak up on you. If you experience any of these signs, you should see an audiologist.
- Difficulty hearing on the telephone
- Trouble hearing birds, wind, alarms/bells, women and children
- Turning the TV volume too high for others
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Trouble hearing words or music when background noise is present
- Difficulty following conversations in groups
- Feeling that many people mumble
- Misunderstanding words and responding inappropriately, or nodding/smiling when you haven’t really understood what was said
- Frequent ringing, roaring, or hissing in the ears
Complimentary hearing consultation
Reasons for hearing loss: A hearing loss often develops gradually and painlessly. Age has a strong correlation to it: 18 percent of adults age 45 to 64, 30 percent of adults age 65 to 74, and 47 percent of adults age 75 and older have a hearing impairment. That’s almost one in every two adults in America! However, hearing loss can occur for reasons other than age, including:
- Exposure to loud or constant noise
- Genetics/Heredity
- Diseases and disorders of the ear
- Traumatic injury
- Ototoxic medications
- Tumors
Fortunately, 90-95 percent of all hearing loss issues do not require medical or surgical intervention and can be improved with hearing instruments. Schedule a complimentary hearing consultation with us today.
Hearing loss and your health
Hearing loss can affect more than just your ears: it can affect the rest of your life.
You may miss out on talks with coworkers, friends and family. You may miss out on hearing your grandchild’s first words. At the doctor’s office, you may not catch all of what the doctor says. You may nod your head in agreement when you’ve missed what’s been said. You feel insecure in many daily situations.
Sometimes hearing problems can make you feel embarrassed, upset and lonely. It’s easy to withdraw when you can’t follow a conversation. It’s also easy for friends and family to think you are confused, uncaring or difficult, when the problem may be that you just can’t hear well.
Those suffering from hearing loss can become isolated by their inability to effectively communicate. That’s why it is important to see a hearing specialist if hearing loss is suspected. If left untreated, it can lead to depression, anxiety, and other unhealthy feelings and behaviors. Hearing loss does not have to get in the way of your ability to enjoy life.
Call us to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation today.
Prevention
Although some forms of hearing loss are completely inevitable as you age, many options are available to prevent unnecessary hearing loss. Here are some steps you can take to minimize further damage:
1. People enjoy performing activities around their home to keep their house looking pristine. However, work such as leaf blowing, lawn mowing, and general woodwork can damage your hearing. When taking on these chores, it is important to wear earplugs to protect your ears.
2. Listening to music is a common daily pastime. From work to the gym, people often listen to music through headphones to help pass the time. Unfortunately, most Americans listen to their music much more loudly than they should. If you can, use noise-cancelling or noise-reduction headphones so you can lower the volume of your music. They’re worth the cost.
3. Some medicines can produce toxins that are damaging to your hearing. Be sure to ask your medical provider if your prescriptions have the possibility of being ototoxic.
4. As you get older, your likelihood of having hearing loss increases. If you are 55 or older, you may want to schedule an annual hearing test.
According to the National Institutes of Health, one-third of people in the U.S. between the ages of 65 and 75 and close to one-half of those older than 75 have some degree of hearing loss. Unfortunately, while it is impossible to reverse hearing loss, you can take the necessary measures to prevent it. If you fear that you may have hearing loss or simply wish to get your hearing checked, please call.