- Do you ask people to repeat themselves?
- If you ask people to repeat themselves, do they seem annoyed?
- Do you think that many people mumble?
- Has someone ever said, “You hear what you want to hear,” to you?
- Do you find it difficult to hear friends/family if there is noise in the room?
- Have you stopped going to activities because they are just too much trouble?
- Do you have any ringing or roaring in your ears?
- Have you had noise exposure such as gun fire, heavy equipment, chain saws etc.?
- Do you have to concentrate on what someone is saying to understand?
- Are you feeling distant from your family and friends?
Twenty-eight million Americans have hearing loss; 80 percent of those affected have hearing damage that is irreversible and permanent. The remaining 20 percent have a medically treatable hearing impairment. A common misconception about hearing loss is that hearing loss affects only “old people” and is merely a sign of aging.
More People Under Age 65 Are Hearing Impaired
Actually, the prevalence of hearing loss is the reverse of what most people think. The majority (65 percent) of people with hearing loss are younger than age 65. There are more than six million people in the United States between the ages of 18 and 44 with hearing loss. Nearly one and a half million hearing impaired people are school aged. Hearing loss affects all age groups.
The reason this information is important to understand is that many people refuse to have a hearing evaluation or try hearing aids because they associate hearing aids with old people. Those individuals have the idea that once they put on a pair of hearing aids they are making a public declaration of old age!
If I Had a Hearing Loss, My Family Doctor Would Have Told Me
Most people with hearing loss hear well in a quiet environment like a doctor’s office. This makes it very difficult for your physician to recognize the extent of your problem. During an office visit the physician is focused on what your complaint is rather than how well you hear them. If you ask your doctor a question about your hearing then your physician will be happy to send you to an audiologist for an evaluation.
I am Embarrassed that I Have Hearing Loss
People with hearing loss are often embarrassed because they think that they are different or that they have a rare condition, but statistics about the prevalence of hearing loss shows that it is actually not uncommon. If you answered yes to more than two of the above questions, you are not alone. And now you know that it is not simply an age-related issue. You have plenty of other age-related physical changes to focus on; don’t assume that hearing is one of them.
Depression is a Common Side Effect of Hearing Loss
Depression and hearing loss are commonly associated medical issues. It makes perfect sense to become depressed as your life slowly becomes less about having relationships with others. The hearing impaired person spends energy finding new ways to cope when someone starts talking to them. It is well documented that mental health and healthy, happy relationships go hand in hand. Talking becomes a frustration for the person with a hearing loss as well as for the family and friends. Over time people stop talking and may not even realize why. Slow, progressive hearing loss is more devastating to relationships than a sudden hearing loss.
If I Get a Hearing Evaluation I Will be Forced to Wear Hearing Aids
A hearing evaluation is designed to educate you. The results are completely independent of what you decide to do about it. The evaluation determines if the hearing loss is caused by medical or non-medical reasons. Once the hearing sensitivity is determined then it is time for you to sit with your audiologist and ask questions. There are no stupid questions. Why do I have a hearing loss? Will my hearing get worse? What are my options? What if I decide not to do anything about the hearing? Are there non-hearing aid options? What should the long-term goals be? How often should I repeat the hearing test?
Ultimately, you are in the driver’s seat. Do what you feel is best for you and your family. Your audiologist is there to provide education and support for whatever you decide to do. FBN
By Dr. Karon Lynn, Au.D.