Now Hear This: Hearing Loss & Hearing Aids
There’s an interesting paradox about hearing aids. Many older adults refuse to consider wearing these helpful devices for fear that doing so will make them look old. In reality, however, people draw attention to their age if they continually ask others to repeat themselves, mishear what’s said, or turn the TV volume so loud that other family members run for the door.
The truth is that wearing a hearing aid is bound to enhance communications with co-workers, friends, and family members, allowing individuals to maintain a higher quality of life and sense of well-being. According to the National Council on Aging, you can’t separate hearing difficulties from the rest of life—when untreated, it’s linked to sadness and depression, cognitive decline, anxiety, and other troublesome conditions.
If you are experiencing hearing loss, you’re in good company. According to audiology.org, about one-third of people 60 and older struggle with hearing loss, and by the time people reach 80, half of them are hearing impaired. Hearing loss is common; hypertension and arthritis are more prevalent among chronic health problems that affect seniors in the US.
While it’s nearly impossible to eliminate the possibility of hearing loss, it’s worth trying. The best form of prevention is ear plugs. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, very loud sounds can cause (generally) irreversible damage to hearing in a relatively short period. Sounds louder than 85 decibels— can cause hearing loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To provide context, consider that normal conversation is typically measured at 60-70 decibels, while movie theater sounds can come in at a dangerous 74-104 decibels.
How an Audiologist Can Help
If you’ve been wondering whether your hearing is diminishing, make an appointment with an audiologist. These medical specialists help prevent, diagnose, and treat hearing problems, balance disorders, dizziness, and auditory issues such as tinnitus (a ringing in the ears). Most importantly, they offer personalized services to enhance people's involvement in activities that matter to them. Like detectives, they perform various tests and devices to help diagnose specific types and degrees of hearing loss. Testing is performed with sophisticated machinery, such as audiometers and computers to determine an individual’s hearing ability and balance. Using the data, audiologists determine the degree of hearing loss and identify the root cause. If a hearing aid is needed, audiologists can make recommendations and custom-fit hearing aids—if that’s your preference and if it’s an affordable option for you.
Hearing Aids Come in a Dizzying Array of Options
Prepare to do your research before deciding on the purchase of hearing aids. It was a long time coming, but in 2022, the Food and Drug Administration introduced a new kind of “over-the-counter” hearing aid for sale directly to consumers. An individual need not work with a licensed professional to obtain these devices, which creates a pathway to more economical and widely accessible hearing aids. However, these more economical products — widely available at drugstores and big-box stores like Costco—aren’t optimal for everyone.
There are many choices at the higher end of these devices, known as prescription hearing aids. The hearing aids you choose will be programmed by an audiologist, otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat physician), or a licensed hearing aid specialist.
Visiting Angels Newberg Provides Additional Assistance
Are you or an older loved one considering home care services and options? A member of our staff at Visiting Angels Newberg would welcome the opportunity to tell you about the array of services provided by our kind, competent caregivers. Contact us to schedule a no-charge, in-home consultation. Or if you prefer, give us a call at 503-538-9505.