When Should Hearing Be Tested?
by: ARA Content
What? ... I'm sorry I couldn't hear you? ... Could you repeat
that? ... What did you say?
If these are the questions you ask when talking with others,
then it's likely you need to have your hearing tested.
If you're wondering why your friends mumble when they talk to
you or when restaurants suddenly become cacophonous, frustrating
places, have your hearing tested. If your family consistently
turns the television volume down when you're through watching
it, have your hearing tested. If phone conversations are confusing
or you find yourself having to concentrate on a speaker's lips
to understand what they're saying, have your hearing tested. If
you haven't had a hearing test since high school ... have a hearing
test.
The statistics of hearing loss are compelling: One out of 10
Americans has hearing loss. By age 65, one out of three people
has hearing loss. And of these, only one out of five actually
seeks help.
That's unnecessary -- and unfortunate -- because there is help
available. In a recent survey performed by the National Council
on the Aging, hearing loss, left untreated, has a correlative
relationship with debilitating psychological problems like depression,
social anxiety and decreased social activity. The longer you ignore
your hearing loss, the worse the physical, psychological and social
effects. While noise-induced hearing loss is painless, it is permanent.
Nip potential hearing loss in the bud. Have your hearing tested.
Doing so early may prevent damage or further damage to your hearing.
The Warning Signs
Usually, hearing loss is painless and gradual, typically developing
over a period of 25 to 30 years. Without some qualitative test,
you won't realize you're losing your hearing till it's too late.
There is a degree of hearing loss associated with aging, and infections,
sudden loud or prolonged noise, diseases (like Meniere's disease)
or genetic disorders (like otosclerosis), medical conditions (like
diabetes), even a build-up of ear wax can mean hearing loss.
Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
* Difficulty in pinpointing sounds' locations (loss of stereo
hearing)
* Frequently mispronouncing words
* Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
* Pain or ringing in your ears (tinnitus) after exposure to noise
* Muffled speech sounds or music sounds dull after leaving a noisy
area
* Difficulty understanding speech in crowded situations
You'll be asked a series of more involved questions when you
get your hearing tested. If you experience any of the above symptoms,
you know what to do get your hearing tested.
Who Should I Talk To?
You need to see an audiologist, a professional who specializes
in hearing health care. Audiologists are trained to conduct and
interpret hearing tests, fit and dispense hearing aids, provide
related counseling, habilitation, rehabilitation and hearing conservation.
Your audiologist will help you make an informed decision about
your hearing care and provide you with communication strategies
to help make listening easier. Typically this type of hearing
evaluation is covered by insurance.
Surprisingly, most people who struggle with hearing loss think
they're unusual. Hearing loss doesn't have to mean depression,
frustration and social anxiety -- an audiologic rehabilitation
program can train you to deal with your new situation, and an
audiologist can help you find one.
Have your hearing tested as soon as possible, and talk to your
audiologist about how often to test your hearing. You'll have
a great chance of learning how to deal with hearing loss before
it becomes debilitating.
Where To Start
If you think you have hearing loss, there are great resources
to help you. In addition to undergoing an annual hearing test,
check out the Audiology Awareness Campaign at www.audiologyawareness.com
or call 1-888-833-EARS for a free 15-page booklet called "Listen
Up, America ... We Hear You" and a free set of ear plugs.
About The Author - Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com;
e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
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