Impaired hearing common--but treatments are better than ever.
It has been estimated that up to 28 million Americans suffer from impaired hearing. Most of these people are over 55. That means, the older we get, the more likely that our hearing will become impaired in some way.
Fortunately, we are more successful at improving hearing than ever before. At Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center, we help people with this problem every day.
A wide range of causes
Impaired hearing can have many causes. Loud noises, injury or disease are common causes. For some of us, our hearing will diminish simply because it is in our genes--it has been passed on to us by our ancestors. Finally, some drugs can affect hearing. Certain antibiotics or large doses of aspirin, for example, have been known to affect the inner ear.
Pay attention to symptoms
No matter what the cause, hearing impairment is not always easy to detect. It can come on gradually. That's why it's important to pay attention to symptoms: Common ones include:
- Keeping the TV at a level that is too loud for others
- Asking people to repeat what they have said, or to speak louder
- Having difficulty hearing conversation when there are other people around such as at a theater, restaurant or social event
- Experiencing head noises such as ringing, or a feeling of stuffiness in your ears
- Feeling pain, itching or heat in or around your ear
- Feeling weary or tired early in the day
- Mispronouncing simple words
- Having a history of hearing loss in your family
What to do
If you have any of these symptoms, it's best to see a physician. Hearing can signal the presence of a disease such as diabetes, or circulatory problems. Your physician may choose to treat you, or send you to an audiologist.
An audiologist is a professional who specializes in evaluating and treating people with hearing loss. Each day, staff audiologists at Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center work with people who have impaired hearing. Using the latest that technology has to offer, we can often improve hearing, even bringing it back to normal levels.
Getting Help at Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center
If your physician refers you to Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center, we will set up an appointment to evaluate your hearing. Using high-tech equipment, we will make an accurate, scientific measurement of your hearing ability. If it turns out that your hearing is impaired, we will offer you options for improving it. This may involve the need for a hearing aid. Hearing aids are far more advanced than they were a few years ago. Some fit behind the ear, some inside, and some are so small, they can be hidden deep inside. We will help find the right model for you, and make a mold of your ear so that your hearing aid fits you comfortably. Through follow-up visits, we will make sure that you are enjoying the full benefit of the latest hearing aid technology.
Final Thoughts
Those of us who have lost some of our hearing often don't realize what we are missing: good conversation, music, the sounds of nature, and many other things that life offers us each day. That's why it is so important to take advantage of modern technology that can help us get back what we once had. If you or someone you know seems to be suffering from impaired hearing, call your physician as soon as possible. The sooner you take action, the sooner you will be able to enjoy life more fully.
| Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center 393 E. Roosevelt Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 269.965.3206
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