Do You Have Hearing Loss?
While some folks with hearing loss notice the problem themselves, the hearing deficit tends to sneak up on most folks. Family members may be more blunt about your hearing loss than others. Co-workers as well as family members may express great frustration in trying to communicate with the hearing impaired person.
Hearing loss has MANY COMMON symptoms SUCH AS REPETITIVE MISUNDERSTANDING.
Example:
Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were taking a walk one fine March day. One remarked to the other, "Windy, ain't it?" The second man replied, "Nup, Thursday." And the third man chimed in, "So am I. Let's have a Coke."
You know you have hearing loss when:
- You turn the television or radio louder because of difficulty hearing, or understanding.
- Your spouse or partner complains about your hearing.
- You frequently ask others to repeat themselves.
- You cannot understand folks while they are walking away from you.
- You have trouble understanding when water is running or when riding in car.
- You misunderstand phone numbers, directions, or names.
- You have difficulty hearing on the phone, or in groups.
- You hear people speak but miss understanding the words, especially in restaurants or church fellowship halls Women’s and children’s voices are harder to understand.
- You hear sounds and speech, but have trouble understanding.
- You say “Huh!” often. Listening tires you from concentrating during conversations.
- You have difficulty hearing sounds that others have no problems hearing, like a watch alarm or an alarm clock.
- Others seem frequently to mumble.
- You respond inappropriately to questions.
- You avoid social situations because of hearing problems.
Okay, I have hearing loss, what can I do about it?
First, see an audiologist, usually available in an ENT doctor’s office, but also sometimes in other settings. The audiologist will test your hearing and explain the hearing loss and its implications. The ear doctor will discuss with you the cause of your hearing loss.
What can then be done?
Both the audiologist and the ear doctor outline your alternatives.
- Hearing aids are helpful to over 90% of persons with hearing loss.
- Surgery may help some persons with hearing loss.
- Reconstructive ear surgery can restore some or all hearing in some folks.
- A cochlear implant can restore hearing in many severely hearing impaired or deaf folks.
- Life style adjustments are necessary for almost all folks with hearing loss. Part of the adjustment is for family and co-workers to understand the problem and adjust, too. Read our article Tips for Communicating With Hearing Loss