What’d he say?
A third of
the U.S. population between sixty five
and seventy five has hearing loss. Common
symptoms include muffled speech,
difficulty understanding words, asking others to speak more slowly, turning up
TV volume, and social avoidance.
What
causes it? Construction and factory
work, firearm shooting, snowmobiling, motorcycling, MPE players, lawn mowers,
and power tools. In addition, certain medicines, over time, can reduce hearing.
These include Gentamycin, antimalarial medicines, and some blood pressure medicines,
such as Furosemide and Torsemide. Bacterial meningitis may lead to hearing
loss.
How can you improve your hearing ability?
Face the person with whom you're
having a conversation. Ask her to speak clearly and slowly. Turn off background noise. Find a quiet
setting when you to a restaurant or sports event. Consider an electronic assistive device, such as TV
listening devices and wireless headphones.
What are the benefits of hearing aids? Over the long term, they stimulate brain speech receptors. This
sharpens mental focus, attention, memory, and auditory understanding. There is
less “word finding.” Analog hearing aids are programmable for settings with a
variety of listening environments. Digital hearing aids are more frequency specific.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids have a plastic case that houses the
electronics. They are attached to a plastic ear mold that fits in the outer ear.
Open-fit behind-the-ear hearing aids are
completely behind the ear. In-the-canal hearing aids sit partially in
the ear canal. They have a tiny case that is molded to the size and shape of the
canal.
Cochlear implants are helpful for severe hearing
loss. They amplify and direct sound to the cochlea (see above illustration). An
otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) appointment is necessary.
Reference: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/DS00172
