Category — Effects of hearing loss

The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety has set a standard for “safe” noise levels at 85 decibels. The human ear can be exposed to this level of sound, or less, on a fairly constant basis without severe risk of permanent damage to hearing. A frightening statistic for parents to consider is many toys currently on the market for children, even infants, break this sound level standard and come in with noise levels over 129 decibels. That is more than 40 decibels over what is considered safe for adults in working environments. These “noisy” toys can potentially cause permanent damage to the ear structures of children, which can lead to permanent and profound hearing loss.  Read more... (430 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine conducted its own research study which also identified heart disease as a potential cause of hearing loss in aging adults. The researchers in charge of the study believe the lack of oxygenated blood flowing through the body, which is a major symptom of heart disease, may cause the important structures within the inner ear to atrophy and die.

Estimates identified in recent years have noted close to twenty-nine million Americans may have measurable levels of hearing loss. These measurable levels are generally remedied or alleviated through accurate diagnosis and the proper use of treatments such as hearing aids. The researchers also noted those who consistently worked in noisy environments had significantly higher levels of hearing loss than those who worked in relatively quiet office environments. Parents with hearing loss also often had children with hearing loss, supporting the theory that some forms of hearing loss are hereditary.  Read more... (268 words, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)

Unfortunately for aging Americans, the Archives of Otolaryngology has recently reported that 21 percent of adults aged 48 to 59 years-old experience some form of mild to moderate hearing loss. An even worse view for aging Americans is the idea that close to 90 percent of American adults aged 80 or older have some form of hearing loss.

A good number of adults who are entering into middle age are living with undiagnosed hearing loss. Those adults are having difficulty hearing their loved ones with clarity and may not realize their interpersonal relationships are beginning to decline. Scientists and researchers have also identified undiagnosed, and untreated hearing loss as an agitating factor in the onset of senility and dementia.  Read more... (352 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Today’s digital hearing aids have changed all of that.  We now can actually create a very normal dynamic range of hearing for most patients.  We can measure where the patient hears soft sounds at the different frequency of speech.  Then we can measure where sounds get too loud in each frequency and plug that into a digital chip and we have provided our patient a very normal dynamic range of hearing.  If properly fit and by the hands of someone skilled, most will find it is a very small adjustment for them because what is being provided is natural and clear.  Most will begin at a lower level than needed and over a period of time they will be brought up to normal targets.  Read more... (343 words, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

I often ask people who come to get help with their hearing loss how their loss is affecting those who they are close to.  At least 95% tell me that’s the real reason they came to see me, because of the effect it was having with those close to them.

Another extremely important reason to start wearing hearing aids early is to keep the stimulation of sound to the brain going.  Over time if there is a lack of sound stimulation to the brain it almost always causes a loss of the patient’s ability to comprehend or make out words.

So when should you think about wearing a hearing aid?  I would encourage you to act when you realize it is starting to affect your life at work and especially with those you are close to.  Read more... (346 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Normal hearing on an audiogram is from 0 db to 30 db in the speech range between 250 to 8,000 Hertz.  Most people in this range function normally and seem to hear and understand most conversations even when noise or background sounds are present.

When a hearing loss goes beyond the 30 db level is when it usually becomes noticeable to the individual with the hearing a loss.  Interestingly, almost all hearing losses begin in the high frequency range.  What is noticed is not so much a drop in volume because their low tones are in the normal range.  However what is noticed is a drop in understanding or clarity of words.  If you had a high frequency loss you would really notice a problem when someone was speaking and they had a soft or high pitched voice.  That’s when most start asking others to repeat what was said.  Usually the biggest challenge comes when they are in a group or in any noisy situations like in a restaurant or when their TV is on and someone tries to talk with them.  Read more... (364 words, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Without even realizing it, a hearing loss can easily create frustration and even pain that comes from our deep feelings inside when our self confidence starts to erode.  It doesn’t usually happen overnight, this is usually a long process of many years slowly accumulating and little by little chipping away at our confidence.

The worst part for me is when I pretend I understand something that is being talked about and I really don’t.  I’m usually too embarrassed to ask someone I don’t know real well to repeat themselves several times during a conversation.  So I usually do what most of us with a hearing loss automatically do, we nod our heads up and down and look like we got it.    Read more... (297 words, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

Every day we talk to many people – from our family, at work, and to people we don’t know.  Have you ever thought about how many people you actually speak to every day?  Now think about how many times you speak to those you’re close to?  Interestingly, when we talk we take for granted that we are being heard.

Very seldom do we miss the signs that someone with a hearing loss isn’t really hearing us.  Oh they can hear you talking; however what you said may not have been understood or perhaps even misinterpreted.  I’m sure you know how different any sentence could be understood just by changing one or several words.  Read more... (286 words, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

Among the study’s key findings:

•    While people with treated and untreated hearing loss both earn less than people with normal hearing, for people with more severe hearing loss the income decline is cut in half for hearing aid owners. For example, the difference in income between people with mild versus profound hearing loss is $20,300 per year for those with untreated hearing loss and $10,200 for those with hearing aids.
•    For every 10 percent increment in hearing loss, the income disparity between those with untreated hearing loss and those with hearing aids increases at the rate of approximately $1,000.
•    The estimated cost in lost earnings due to untreated hearing loss is $122 billion, with the cost to the government in unrealized federal taxes at $18 billion.
•    Currently, more than 24 million people in the United States who say they have hearing loss do not use hearing aids.  Read more... (309 words, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)

Resentment can go both ways – from the person having to put out so much effort trying to communicate, as well as the person with the hearing loss.  The person with the hearing loss will often lay blame for their hearing loss on the other person.  They often say, “If you would just speak clearly I could understand what you said”.  It’s easy to understand also the resentment caused when the person with the hearing loss refuses to do anything to correct the hearing loss.  Please don’t let a hearing loss effect you needlessly like this.
The good news is there is a very simple, painless solution.  I have helped thousands of people save their relationships just by correcting their hearing loss.  Hearing aids can make communication easy.  Read more... (252 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)