YOU’RE NOT ALONE.
Our quality of life, emotional well-being, and physical health can all be affected with loss of hearing. People do so many things to compensate for hearing loss without even knowing it, but the fact remains that hearing loss is a growing medical condition that needs your attention. Millions of people each year worldwide let their hearing loss go untreated.
Give us a call today! 813-553-4838
IS HEARING LOSS COMMON?
Since the most recent previous survey in 2005, the number of hearing impaired people in the US increased from 31.5 million to 35 million, a nine percent increase in a period of time with just 4.5 percent population growth. This figure corresponds to 11.3 percent of the U.S. population. Additionally, 78 million rockin’ and rollin’ Baby Boomers are approaching, what used to be called, “senior adulthood” and could suffer from greater incidences of hearing loss.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you think that you or a family member has hearing loss, come in to South Suburban Hearing Health Center for a complete hearing evaluation. Strong evidence supports that the treatment of hearing loss improves quality of life.
WILL I NEED A HEARING AID?
It all depends on your hearing loss. Every case is different, our board certified specialists can talk to you about your options. If a hearing aid is recommended, there are many types, and today’s technology is very sophisticated and beneficial.
IS HEARING LOSS SERIOUS?
Any time a bodily function is not working properly, we should consider it serious, but it is treatable. Clinical studies show that hearing loss can be effectively treated with hearing aids.
SHOULD I HAVE MY EARS CLEANED?
We’re happy to take a look. Using an EarigatorTM, our clinicians are able to safely and efficiently remove even the most stubborn ear wax. Schedule a consultation to learn more 561-508-8379.
SHOULD I IGNORE IT?
Though hearing loss is not life threatening, clinical studies show that untreated hearing loss can negatively impact your job performance, you social life, your relationships with friends and family, and ultimately your physical well-being.
So, don’t ignore it!
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
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Treatment of hearing loss has been shown to improve*:
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Communication in relationships
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Intimacy and warmth in family relationships
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Ease in communication
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Earning power
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Sense of control over your life
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Social participation
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Emotional stability
*Source: Better Hearing Institute
Prevention
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HEARING LOSS.
Most causes of hearing loss are impossible to prevent. However, noise-induced hearing loss is not.
WHAT IS NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS?
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is hearing loss caused by either exposure to a loud impulse sound like a gunshot or explosion, or prolonged exposure to high levels of noise. It can happen immediately or gradually over time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 40 million US adults have noise-induced hearing loss, which is preventable.
Noises below 75 decibels (dB), are unlikely to cause hearing loss. Sounds 85 dB and above can. Below are the decibel levels for common sounds — and their associated hearing loss risks.
PREVENTING NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
Fortunately, noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented. Preventing noise-induced hearing loss requires you to do three things:
Know what sounds are too loud (anything above 85 dB)
Either avoid loud sounds or limit your exposure or proximity to them
Wear hearing protection when you can’t avoid or move a safe distance from loud noises
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is hearing loss preventable?
For the most part, hearing loss is not preventable. Hearing loss caused by aging (the leading cause), disease, genetics, injury or biology cannot be prevented. However, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) — the second leading cause of hearing loss — is preventable.
How loud is too loud for my ears?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to sounds 85 decibels (dB) and above can damage your hearing. The louder or higher decibel the sound is, the less exposure time is required for hearing loss to occur.
What can I do to protect my hearing from hearing loss?
While there is little you can do to prevent most causes of hearing loss, you can prevent noise-induced hearing loss (the second most common cause) by following good hearing protection practices.
10 TIPS TO HELP PROTECT YOUR HEARING
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Use hearing protection around loud sounds. Foam earplugs are an economical solution, or consider purchasing custom earplugs to best reduce the sound levels.
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Turn the volume down on the TV, radio, music, etc.
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Avoid loud or noisy activities/places, when possible.
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Limit your time exposed to loud sounds.
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When listening to loud sounds (e.g., music, concerts, fitness classes, etc.), take breaks from the noise.
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Move away from the loudest sound source (e.g., speakers, fireworks, etc.).
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Give your ears time to recover after being exposed to loud noises.
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Do not put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear! This includes cotton swabs, bobby pins, keys, paperclips, or anything else you might use to clean or scratch your ears.
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Keep moving! Exercise keeps the blood pumping throughout the body, including the ears. This keeps the internal parts of the ears healthy.
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Get your hearing tested, especially if you experience a change in your hearing, ringing or fullness in your ears over 24 hours.
Symptoms
THE SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS ARE MORE OBVIOUS THAN YOU THINK.
One in six adults 18 and older has hearing loss. Here are ways to tell if you or someone you love might have hearing loss.
COMMON SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS
YOU FREQUENTLY ASK OTHERS TO REPEAT THEMSELVES
If you find yourself saying “what?” all the time, or you need to be looking at someone to hear what they’re saying (by also reading their lips), your hearing might be fading.
YOU TURN THE TV TO A VOLUME OTHERS FIND LOUD
When you can’t have a conversation because your TV is too loud, it’s time to get a hearing test.
YOU HAVE TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING CONVERSATIONS IN NOISY PLACES
This is one of the first challenges people with hearing loss encounter: tracking what someone else is saying in a noise-filled place like a restaurant.
YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY HEARING WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S VOICES
High-frequency hearing loss is very common — so it’s to be expected that women and children’s voices would be tough to hear.
YOU FEEL LIKE OTHERS ARE MUMBLING
A classic complaint of people who have hearing loss is that others don’t speak clearly. If you find yourself thinking people are mumbling and hard to understand, that may be a symptom of hearing loss.
YOU HAVE TROUBLE HEARING ON THE PHONE
If you have trouble occasionally, that is OK. If you constantly feel like you cannot hear on the phone, whether you’re using a landline or mobile phone, this may be a symptom of hearing loss.
YOU AVOID SOCIAL SITUATIONS THAT WERE ONCE ENJOYABLE
People who can’t engage easily, feel left out of conversations, or who have bad experiences trying to hear in public spaces often decide it’s easier to decline invitations and stay at home. It doesn’t have to be this way.
YOU HAVE RINGING IN YOUR EARS
Ringing in your ears is often thought to be a symptom of hearing loss or damage to the auditory system — and hearing loss and tinnitus very often go hand in hand.
YOU ARE TOLD BY OTHERS THAT YOU HAVE HEARING LOSS
If more than one friend or family member questions your hearing acuity — in seriousness or jest — guess what? They could be onto something.
WHY PEOPLE IGNORE HEARING LOSS
People who treat hearing loss often say, “why did I wait so long?”
Here are four common reasons:
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IT’S UNRECOGNIZED
“I don’t have hearing loss” they say, “you just mumble and talk too softly.”
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IT’S VIEWED AS NO BIG DEAL
Many people are unfamiliar with research linking hearing loss to falls, depression, social isolation and dementia.
3
IT’S EASY TO COMPENSATE FOR
“I’ll just turn up the volume, ask others to repeat themselves, or avoid places where hearing is a problem.”
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THEY THINK HEARING AIDS ARE A PAIN
Maybe once upon a time, but today’s hearing aids are smart, sophisticated and designed to set-and-forget.
WHY PEOPLE IGNORE HEARING LOSS
How can I recognize hearing problems?
Most of the time hearing problems begin gradually without discomfort or pain. What’s more, family members often learn to adapt to someone’s hearing loss without even realizing they are doing it. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether you have hearing loss.
Are there different types of hearing loss?
There are three types of hearing loss including: sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss and mixed hearing loss. Most people lose at least some degree of their hearing as they age, and by the time they reach age 65 and older, one in three people has some type of hearing impairment.
Doesn’t hearing loss only affect old people?
Hearing loss can occur at any time, at any age. In fact, most people with hearing loss (65 percent) are younger than age 65! There are 6 million people in the US ages 18–44 with hearing loss, and around 1.5 million are school age.
If I had hearing loss, wouldn’t my doctor have told me?
Only 13 percent of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss. Since most people with hearing impairments hear just fine in quiet environments (like your doctor’s office), it can be very difficult for your physician to recognize this problem. Only a trained hearing professional can determine the severity of your hearing problem, whether or not you could benefit from a hearing aid, and which type would be best for you.
If I think I have a hearing problem, what do I do?
You should make an appointment with a hearing professional like an audiologist, hearing aid specialist or ENT for an evaluation, consultation and hearing test. Many hearing care professionals offer this evaluation at no charge.
Give us a call today to start your hearing journey
813-553-4838
