 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
What you should know about hearing loss
| • | Hearing loss develops later in life, comes on slowly, is permanent, and often gets gradually worse. |
|
| • | Most of these losses can be helped effectively by individually selected, prescribed and fitted hearing aids. |
|
| • | Some adults can have their hearing corrected by an ENT or surgeon, so it is important to have an evaluation to make this determination. |
|
Hearing loss indicators | ||
|
If you agree with one or more of the following statements, it may indicate the need to seek a complete hearing screening. | ||
| • | You "favor" one ear over the other. | |
| • | You have been told that the TV is too loud. | |
| • | You have difficulty following conversations in groups and noisy places. | |
| • | You ask people to repeat themselves, especially women and young children. | |
| • | Hearing from a distance is more trouble than it used to be, such as in church or theatre. | |
| • | Family and friends have commented on your inability to hear. | |
Why you may be unaware of the problem
It is typical for the individuals with a mild to moderate hearing loss to be unaware of their problem, even though family and friends are quite aware of it.
Hearing loss is invisible and almost always painless. There are no physical warning signs, except in some cases there may be ringing in the ear(s). The real reason hearing loss "sneaks" up on you is that the change is so gradual. Most hearing losses develop over a period of 25-30 years. By age 50 or 60, there can be enough deterioration to interfere with conversation.
Most hearing health care professionals believe that hearing loss in older adults is the accumulation of two or more causes, such as exposure to loud noises and family history or simply the natural aging process.
Hearing loss can prevent the quality of life you've hoped for. It can restrict your ability to interact with others, prevent you from hearing important information, cause misunderstandings, heighten stress cause unnecessary fatigue, and filter out the subtle sounds of nature. Don't let poor hearing make you miss out on the many good and vital messages of life.
We would like to encourage you to visit www.freehearingtest.ca
Quick Hearing Check
Check YES or NO to each item for yourself or for an adult loved one:• Do you experience ringing or noises in your ears?
YES / NO
• Do you hear better with one ear than the other?
YES / NO
• Have any of your relatives had a hearing loss?
YES / NO
• Have you had significant noise exposure at work, recreation or in military service?
YES / NO
• Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy restaurant or crowded room?
YES / NO
• Do you sometimes feel people are mumbling or not speaking clearly?
YES / NO
• Do you experience difficulty following dialog in theatre?
YES / NO
• Do you sometimes find it difficult to understand a speaker at a public meeting or religious service?
YES / NO
• Do you sometimes find yourself asking people to speak up or to repeat themselves?
YES / NO
• Do you find men's voices easier to understand than women's?
YES / NO
• Do you experience difficulty understanding soft or whispered speech?
YES / NO
• Do you sometimes have difficulty understanding speech or words on the telephone?
YES / NO
• Does a hearing problem cause you to feel embarrassed when meeting new people?
YES / NO
• Does a hearing problem cause you to be nervous?
YES / NO
• Does a hearing problem cause you to visit friends, relatives or neighbors less often then you like?
YES / NO
• Does a hearing problem cause you to talk to family members less often then you would like?
YES / NO
• Does a hearing problem cause you to feel depressed?
YES / NO
YES answers to any of these questions may mean that you have a hearing problem.
Several YES answers strongly suggest that a hearing check is necessary. Contact our office at 705.445.1177 to make an appointment and bring a copy for your free hearing screening with one of our hearing health care professionals.
