What are the signs of hearing loss?
“What are the signs of hearing loss?” I am asked this question often, stated the press release. “How do I know if I need to have my hearing checked? The signs of hearing loss can be subtle and emerge slowly, this is more common with noise-induced or age-related hearing loss; or they can be significant and come on suddenly; a sudden hearing loss may be an indication of a more serious underlying medical condition. Either way, there are common indications. A person should suspect hearing loss if they experience any of the signs below. One might have hearing loss if they … Socially: require frequent repetition, have difficulty following conversations involving more than two people, think that other people sound muffled or like they’re mumbling, have difficulty hearing in noisy situations, like conferences, restaurants, malls or crowded meeting rooms, have trouble hearing children and women, have the TV or radio turned up to a high volume, answer or respond inappropriately in conversations, have ringing in the ears, read lips or more intently watch people’s faces when they speak with you.
Emotionally: feel stressed out from straining to hear what others are saying, feel annoyed at other people because you can’t hear or understand them, feel embarrassed to meet new people or from misunderstanding what others are saying, feel nervous about trying to hear and understand, withdraw from social situations that you once enjoyed because of difficulty hearing.
Medically: have a family history of hearing loss, take medications that can harm the hearing system (ototoxic drugs), have diabetes, heart, circulation or thyroid problems, have been exposed to very loud sounds over a long period or single exposure to explosive noise.
“Sadly, many people affected with hearing loss are reluctant to seek help. Untreated hearing loss poses considerable negative social, psychological, cognitive and health effects” states Tammy Payne, franchise owner/licensed hearing specialist, in the press release. Read about the impact of hearing loss on quality of life and why it is so important to “Hear What You’ve Been Missing!” quoted from the Better Hearing Institute.
The current statistics from the Better Hearing Institute are that 1 in 6 baby boomers have hearing loss and 3 in 10 of people over 55 have hearing loss; and seniors in their 70s have a greater than 50 percent incidence of hearing loss. However, keep in mind that these statistics don’t tell the whole story. Almost everyone knows at least one person who has a hearing loss that is affecting communications, but refuses to acknowledge or do anything about it. “We counsel with our patients and their family to help improve their ability to communicate and their overall quality of life.”
“At Payne’s Miracle-Ear Hearing Center, we encourage you, if you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms of hearing loss, to contact our hearing health care providers. We offer complimentary hearing consultations and demonstrations.” To schedule an appointment, call Payne’s Miracle-Ear Hearing Center, 501-520-4327 for Hot Springs or 501-984-5250 for Hot Springs Village. “We look forward to meeting you and serving your hearing health care needs. Our patients are our priority!”