Hearing Loss
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Hearing Loss
Having trouble tuning in to conversations? Here's some sound advice
If you had poor vision, you probably wouldn't hesitate to don a pair of glasses. But if you had trouble hearing, would you wear a hearing aid?
For some reason, many of us resist the idea. According to The Harvard Health Letter, only about 4 million Americans out of the 22 million who could benefit from hearing aids actually wear them. That's too bad because good hearing is a key aspect of effective communication. And unlike the clumsy hearing aids of the past, today's devices are smaller, lighter, and better able to amplify the sounds you need to hear.
Testing Tips
Not sure whether you need a hearing test? Ask yourself the following questions:
- 1. Do I hear, but not understand, what is being said to me?
2. Do many people seem to mumble?
3. Do I ask people to repeat themselves?
4. Do others tell me the television or radio is too loud?
5. Do I have problems hearing in groups, such as business meetings?
6. Do I tend to ask callers to speak up on the phone?
7. Do my family and friends accuse me of not hearing or paying attention to them?
8. Is it difficult for me to hear soft sounds, such as a dripping faucet? If you answered "yes" to even one of these questions, consider scheduling a hearing exam with an otologist or otolaryngologist (doctors with training in ear and hearing disorders), an audiologist (a non-physician hearing expert), or a licensed hearing-aid specialist. The test will help determine if the loss is due to nerve deafness, which can be improved with a hearing aid. In that case, these specialists can help select the aid best suited for your needs.
- Reduce noise at home. Close windows near busy streets and keep TVs, radios, and voices at low volumes. Place foam pads under machines such as food processors. Install carpeting and drapes in noisy rooms.
- Wear protective earmuffs (with a noise-reduction rating of at least 20) around power tools, boat engines, and traffic. n
- Never poke anything into your ears, including cotton swabs, or bobby pins.
- If you experience dizziness, ringing in the ears, or a change in hearing, see your doctor.
For free publications on hearing loss, call the National Hearing Information Center at 1-800-622-3277.
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