{"id":6735,"date":"2010-11-22T17:11:29","date_gmt":"2010-11-22T17:11:29","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2010-11-22T17:11:15","modified_gmt":"2010-11-22T17:11:15","slug":"Hearing-Loss-is-a-growing-National-problem-Hear-are-the-Changes-you-can-make-to-avoid-it-","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/?p=6735","title":{"rendered":"Hearing Loss is a growing National problem-Hear are the Changes you can make to avoid it"},"content":{"rendered":"

30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss…and many more are on the way<\/p>\n

<\/strong>Is it mostly a problem of aging?
\n<\/strong>Age is one of the top factors, but we\u2019re seeing a rise among people in their 20s and 30 as well as among boomers.<\/p>\n

Why is that?
\n<\/strong>Our world has become much noisier. The rise of mp3 players has had a huge effect. Back in the day, we listened to stereos, which we would turn up loud. But today, earbuds carry sound directly into the ear–much more damaging. A lot of working adults try to overcome background noise when they\u2019re on the subway or the street by turning those headphones and phones up even louder.<\/p>\n

And this is a problem for FOFs–not just teenagers?
\n<\/strong>Oh yes, especially for those of us who are working out at the gym or outside with iPods. And unfortunately, this type of hearing loss–which damages the delicate hairs in the ear–is permanent.<\/p>\n

Why is it so hard to recognize when we are losing our hearing?
\n<\/strong>The experience of hearing loss is not what people expect. The sounds don\u2019t get softer; rather they become distorted. We don\u2019t hear the consonant sounds as easily (such as \u201cs\u201d or \u201cth\u201d or \u201cf\u201d) and those sounds that carry the meaning of the words. The result is lots of misunderstandings: Someone asks you if you have the time, for example, and you reach into your pocket looking for a dime.
\nSo you may just think the people around you are mumbling.
\nExactly right. It\u2019s often a spouse, a son, a daughter or a close friend that is the first one to notice your hearing loss.
\nHow can you tell if you\u2019re losing your hearing? <\/p>\n

There are four main signs:
\n<\/strong>
\n1. Difficulty listening to the tv or radio–you can\u2019t seem to follow what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n

<\/strong>2. You often think people are mumbling.<\/p>\n

<\/strong>3. When you go to restaurants or family gatherings you start to feel frustrated and irritable because you can\u2019t follow the conversations. You might complain that the restaurant is \u2018too loud!\u2019<\/p>\n

<\/strong>4. Ringing in the ears–also called tinnitus–can be an early warning sign.<\/p>\n

<\/strong>Why are people so reluctant to admit they\u2019re losing their hearing?
\n<\/strong>I think there is a stigma attached to the treatment–hearing aids. People think, \u2018if I wear hearing aids, that must mean I\u2019m getting older.\u2019
\nRight–that\u2019s for \u201cold\u201d people.
\nThe reality is that the misunderstandings and inappropriate conversations that happen without hearings aids make a person look older. People think, \u2018this woman isn\u2019t even answering my questions right, is something wrong with her?\u2019 Plus, hearing aids these days are completely discreet. There are even designer hearing aids.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the first step if you suspect that you\u2019re losing their hearing?
\n<\/strong>Have a baseline hearing test or an audiogram done by an audiologist.<\/p>\n

What does this hearing test entail?
\n<\/strong><\/strong>Simple and painless. You listen to different tones and pitches and words to figure out how many you can hear and repeat back accurately.<\/p>\n

Is a hearing aid always the treatment?
\n<\/strong><\/strong>No. Before you\u2019re fit with a hearing aid, you need to see a physician to make sure there\u2019s no underlying medical reason for the hearing loss. The problem may be an ear infection or a build up of ear wax. Sometimes women–especially middle aged women–have otosclerosis. That\u2019s a problem with the middle ear bones that can be repaired with surgery.<\/p>\n

Should you have your hearing checked even if you don\u2019t suspect hearing loss?
\n<\/strong><\/strong>Yes. It\u2019s important to have a baseline understanding of your hearing, because then we have something to compare it to later. Some people come to us in their 60s and 70s asking, \u2018How long have I had this hearing loss?,\u2019 and we have no idea.<\/p>\n

How do you start preserving your hearing right now?
\n<\/strong>If you are around loud situations, wear ear protection. That could be the foam ear protectors you get at the drug store. Or, if you love music and attend a lot of concerts, go to an audiologist and actually have musician’s plugs made. They won\u2019t distort the music, so you can still enjoy it. If you are using ear buds, set your ipod for a maximum of 60% volume output.<\/p>\n

What are the dangers of not treating your hearing loss?
\n<\/strong>There are a lot of psychological implications. I often see patients who feel depressed, isolated and withdrawn. They\u2019ve really stopped connecting with people. On the flip side, hearing aids have been shown to improve earning power and intimacy in family relationships. They give people a sense of control over their lives.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the most popular, sleek, understated hearing aid to get?<\/p>\n

<\/strong>New open-style hearing aids are
\nbarely visible.The new open fit hearing aids are very popular. A small piece of wire directs sound into the inner ear so the ear remains open. Old-style hearing aids filled the ear and distorted the sound– sort of like you were hearing things in a barrel. Modern hearings aids can also be wirelessly synced with your Bluetooth phone or television.<\/p>\n

Once they get the hearing aids, how do your patients typically react?
\n<\/strong>Most patients are very reluctant until they try them. Then their eyes light up! I see them a month later and it\u2019s amazing how many people come back thrilled. I would say, just do it.
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I TELL ALL OF MY LOVED ONES ESP THE CHILDREN: USE OUT OF THE EAR PHONES AND GET A DEVICE TO CUT OFF VOLUME ON THE IPODS AND OTHER DIGITAL EQUIPMENT. THE GOVERNMENT DOESN’T REGULATE THESE ITEMS AND FRANKLY DOESN’T CARE IF YOU GO DEAF.<\/strong> We are in an age where the consumer\/patient must educate him or herself. <\/strong> I don’t know about you but I trust myself with my health and welfare more than I trust anyone else especially the government!<\/strong><\/strong>
\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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