Most hearing losses occur so gradually that people may not be aware of what they are missing. Recognizing a hearing loss in yourself or someone you know is the first step towards improving the situation.
If you:
can hear people but have trouble understanding
ask people to repeat what they said
think people seem to mumble when they speak
have difficulty hearing on the telephone
have difficulty hearing in noisy environments (restaurants, grocery stores, church, concert hall, etc.)
have to strain to understand a conversation
have a ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in your ears
answer questions inappropriately because you did not hear correctly
You should see an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
Taking the Next Step to Better Hearing
Comprehensive hearing evaluations at RidgeGate Hearing Clinic include a physical examination of the ears, tests to evaluate ear health and tests to determine hearing levels and speech understanding. We also have a new clinical test that evaluates your ability to hear speech in noisy environments.
Types of Hearing Loss Conductive hearing loss: occurs when the transmission of sound through the outer and middle ear is interrupted. Common causes: wax build-up, a perforated eardrum, fluid in the middle ear, damage to the small bones located in the middle ear. Most conductive hearing loss can be treated medically but there are times when hearing instruments are needed.
Sensorineural hearing loss: occurs in the inner ear affecting the transmission of sound through the cochlear and/or auditory nerve. Common causes: exposure to loud noises, trauma to the inner ear, the normal aging process, exposure to damaging medication, and disease. There is no medical treatment for sensorineural hearing loss, it is usually treated with hearing instruments.
Mixed hearing loss: occurs when there is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Example: fluid in the middle ear and damage to the cochlea. Mixed losses are treated with a combination approach; medical management for the conductive component and hearing instruments for the sensorineural component.
Prevalence of Hearing Loss Hearing loss is much more common than you might think. According to research conducted by the Better Hearing Institute, in the U.S. 30 million people, or 10% of the population have some type of hearing loss. Among Americans ages 46 to 64, about 15% already have hearing problems, in fact, the majority of people with hearing loss are younger than 65. Hearing loss is not just a sign of aging, it can strike at any time and any age, including childhood.
Social and Emotional Aspects of Hearing loss
Hearing loss doesn't just affect hearing. Hearing is crucial to developing meaningful relationships and the ability to enjoy life, whether it is participating in a conversation between friends or enjoying aesthetic pleasures like music or the rustling of the leaves.
According to research, hearing loss affects overall quality of life and has been shown to negatively impact many areas of one's life including social, psychological and cognitive well being. Many adults do not realize how much hearing they have lost, but family and friends may notice changes in behavior.
Those adults whose hearing loss is not treated report:
sadness and depression
frustration
fatigue and tension
worry and anxiety
paranoia
less social activity, withdrawl from group activities
emotional insecurity
Why Hasn't My Family Physician Told Me I have Hearing Loss?
Only 12% of physicians today ask their patients if they have any hearing problems and even fewer actually perform a screening in their office. Since most people can communicate without significant difficulty in a quiet exam room, it can be difficult for your physician to recognize the extent of your hearing difficulties.
