Capital Region | Capital Health | Late Spring 2018

You might be experiencing hearing loss Have you been wondering if you or someone close to you is experiencing hearing loss, but are putting off doing anything about it? According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, you are not alone. For most people it takes an average of seven years from the time they think they might have a hearing loss to the time they seek treatment. How can I tell if I have a hearing loss? If you answer yes to some of the following questions, you may have hearing loss. Do you: w w Often ask people to repeat what they say? w w Have trouble hearing in groups? w w Think others mumble? w w Fail to hear someone talking when they are behind you? w w Turn up the volume on the TV or car radio? w w Have difficulty on the phone? w w Have trouble hearing your alarm clock? w w Have difficulty hearing at the movies? w w Dread going to noisy parties and restaurants? Think about these situations w w Are you embarrassed to talk openly about not being able to hear? w w Are you cutting out activities that you used to love but have become painful because you cannot fully join in anymore? w w At work are you afraid to reveal your hearing loss in case it jeopardizes your job and your supervisor and coworkers may see you as less competent? w w Are you bluffing when out with friends in noisy restaurants? w w Are you feeling cut off from your young children because you cannot hear their high-pitched voices? w w Are family holidays a strain because so many people are talking at once? These are common reactions and can lead to withdrawal from social interaction, anxiety, loss of self-esteem and even depression. More to hear For most adults, the onset and progression of hearing loss extends over time. Some people may blame their hearing problems on the nature of the other person’s speech. For example, someone might say, “If people wouldn’t mumble, I could hear!” or “People talked a lot clearer when I was younger.” One’s family and friends are likely to be the first to notice some difficulty hearing, long before the person does. For example, family members may complain that the TV volume is set too high. The person with hearing loss will notice difficulty in understanding when someone talks from another room. A major complaint of people with hearing loss is difficulty in comprehending speech in noisy places like restaurants, receptions, large family dinners, in the car or on a plane. Group conversations are particularly difficult, especially when there is great deal of cross-talk. Treatment for hearing loss If you think you or someone close to you might be experiencing hearing loss, treatment options are available. Advanced technology provides hearing aids that are nearly undetectable by others and can help you or your loved one join in the conversation. With the help of an audiologist, you can determine the cause of your hearing loss and find a solution. Help forhearing loss Youdon’t have to strugglewithhearing loss. Capital Region’s audiologist, Keri Salvatore, AuD, Capital RegionPhysicians–ENT&Audiology, canhelpyou find solutions to improve your life. Tomake anappointment, call 573-632-4970 . Not catching all the conversation? crmc.org 7 Keri Salvatore, AuD