Did you hear the one about the woman who gently patted her husband's hand and said, "Dear, I've been suggesting for some time that you have your hearing checked, and you've simply ignored me. I know it isn't easy..." Her husband looked at her and shouted, "WHAT?!?"
For some people, acknowledging a hearing loss is a difficult admission. But there are some suggested guidelines.
It's time to see a licensed hearing professional when...
- You experience muffled hearing.
- You can't distinguish specific words when someone is speaking, especially when there are competing voices or noises in the background.
- A higher volume is required on the television, radio or MP3 player than in the past.
- You avoid conversation and social interaction for fear of lack of hearing.
- You experience vertigo in conjunction with hearing loss.
- People get annoyed with you because you misunderstand conversations.
- You are concerned about missing a phone call or doorbell.
- You get confused about where sounds come from.
"It's not always easy for patients to admit that they have a hearing loss," noted Dr. Mary Bohr, Director of Audiology for McGuire's Hearing Services. "Some patients feel that they can compensate for this limitation without hearing devices, but it's not really possible. Hearing loss simply gets worse with time," she added.
"The bright side is that we now have access to dozens of hearing aid styles, sizes and colors. This assortment allows self-conscious patients to wear hearing devices that can barely be detected, and are customized based on a patient's specific needs," she observed.
The technology of hearing devices has improved significantly in the past few years, and manufacturers report the use of digital devices and components that are approaching nano-sized elements.
"Once patients realize the advanced technology and the variety of devices suited to their lifestyles, they are much better about wearing a hearing instrument," Dr. Bohr concluded.
Secondhand smoke has been linked to an increased risk in hearing loss among persons aged 12 - 19, according to a study that was conducted in 2005 – 2006.
Although the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was conducted several years ago, interviews with participants have just been completed, allowing researchers to better understand secondhand smoke and its impact on young adults.
The study evaluated 1,533 teens. Those who had exposure to secondhand smoke exhibited notably higher rates of low and high frequency hearing loss, as compared with those who had no exposure to secondhand smoke. In fact, nearly 82% of the afflicted teens did not recognize their hearing difficulties.
The study participants also underwent a battery of physical tests, including blood testing for cotinine, a by-product of nicotine exposure. Researchers noted that the rate of hearing loss appeared to be cumulative, and appeared to increase with the level of serum cotinine found in the blood of study participants.
"Secondhand smoke has been a suspect in hearing loss among young adults for quite some time," noted Dr. Mary Bohr, Director of Audiology at McGuire's Hearing Aids and Audiological Services. "The study confirms the detrimental effects of secondhand smoke among this population, and reinforces the belief that smoking is dangerous for people other than the smoker," she added.
"Adolescents exposed to (secondhand smoke) may need to be closely monitored for early hearing loss with periodic audiologic testing," study researchers cautioned.
