Facing
facts and fears
about hearing loss
Newswise — If everyone is mumbling and
your partner is complaining about the loud TV volume, perhaps your
hearing isn’t what it once was.
Roughly one-third of Americans
over age 60 and 40 percent to 50 percent of adults 75 and older have
hearing loss.
Even though it’s common,
some people are reluctant to deal with their hearing loss
because of embarrassment or worry about seeming old. But if
you suspect hearing loss, the most important thing you can
do is see a doctor or an audiologist, advises the April
issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.
An audiologist can assess your
hearing loss and measure the severity through various tests. Factors
that contribute to hearing loss include aging, loud noises,
heredity, certain medications and some illnesses. Often, hearing
loss identified early can be helped.
Hearing aids may be recommended.
Many of today’s hearing aids are substantially better than those
your parents or grandparents may have worn. Some fit discretely
behind your ear. Others fit inside your outer ear or in the ear
canal.
Other listening devices can help
you use the telephone or better hear the TV or stereo. These
communication aids aren’t meant to replace hearing aids but they can
enhance your hearing in certain situations.
If your hearing loss is too severe
for hearing aids, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant -- a
small electronic device that the surgeon places in your inner ear.
It doesn’t restore normal hearing but it can help you be more aware
of your surroundings and better understand speech.