Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss:  The third most prevalent chronic condition after high blood pressure and arthritis

My father is 91 years old and is profoundly deaf.  Profoundly means 100%.  He can’t hear at all.  My sister is hard of hearing.  This means she has difficulty hearing but, in her case, she wears a hearing aid and can hear you if you talk in a normal tone.  People who are have difficulty hearing (disabling hearing loss) but refuse to wear a hearing aid may need to watch your lips and ask you to “speak up” while communicating with you.

One in Four Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 suffer from hearing loss.  Half of people age 75 and over have disabling hearing loss. These stats are from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDOCD).

According to the CDC 15% under age 70 have hearing loss related to over exposure to noise. Much of that could be occupational or work related however; 16% of teens suffer some hearing loss primarily due to exposure to loud music.

Social and Health Related Conditions Connected to Hearing loss

Your emotional and social wellbeing can be affected by hearing loss.  It can also affect your memory.

The following is a list of problems often affecting those with hearing loss:

1. Fatigue, tension, stress and depression
2. Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
3. Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
4. Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
5. Reduced job performance
6. Diminished psychological and overall health

Are you in that percentage of people with hearing loss?

If you agree with three or more of the following statements getting your hearing checked might change your life:

1.  Do you need to ask to have the volume of the TV turned up?
2.  Do you often ask people to repeat what they have said?
3. Do you strain to understand conversations when there is background noise or other people talking at the same time?
4. Is it difficult to hear over the phone?
5. Do you misunderstand what is being said?
6. Do you have problems hearing what woman and children saying?
7. Do you frequently feel stressed or tired after having to talk or listen for extended periods.
8.  Do you have difficulty hearing and understanding what other people say when they do not have eye contact?
9. Do you have difficulty locating the source of the sound?
10.  Have people asked you if you have a hearing problem?