Hearing Loss

According to the Mayo Clinic website the gradual hearing loss that occurs as you age (presbycusis) is a common condition. An estimated one-quarter of Americans between the ages of 65 and 75 and around three-quarters of those older than 75 have some degree of hearing loss.

Over time, the wear and tear on your ears from noise contributes to hearing loss by damaging your inner ear. Doctors believe that heredity and chronic exposure to loud noises are the main factors that contribute to hearing loss. Other factors, such as earwax blockage, can prevent your ears from conducting sounds as well as they should.

You can't reverse hearing loss. However, you don't have to live in a world of quieter, less distinct sounds. You and your doctor or hearing specialist can deal with hearing loss by taking steps to improve what you hear.

 

Ten Ways To Recognize Hearing Loss

  The following questions will help you determine if you need to have your hearing evaluated by a medical professional:

Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
Yes No

Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?
Yes No

Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
Yes No

Do you have to strain to understand conversation?
Yes No

Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?
Yes No

Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
Yes No

Do many people you talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly)?
Yes No

Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?
Yes No

Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
Yes No

Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?
Yes No

From NIDCD.NIH website

 

If you answered "yes" to three or more of these questions, you may want to see an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) or an audiologist.

The material on this page is for general information only and is not intended for diagnostic or treatment purposes. A doctor or other health care professional must be consulted for diagnostic information and advice regarding treatment.

Excerpt from NIH Publication No. 01-4913