What is
Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is the inability to clearly hear sounds in one or both ears. Hearing loss is incredibly common, affecting 48 million Americans. Degrees of hearing loss range from mild, moderate, moderately severe, to profound.
When left untreated, hearing loss can affect your speech comprehension, cognition, and social relationships. It’s important to have your hearing checked on a regular basis if you are over the age of 60, or if you have any noticed any signs of hearing impairment.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss, the most common type of loss, often occurs gradually, over the course of a few years. For this reason, it can be difficult to recognize the signs right away as you have become accustomed to not hearing certain sounds. Some common indicators of hearing loss include:
- Sounds seem muffled
- You often ask people to repeat themselves
- You can hear but you lack clarity
- You frequently respond with “What?” or “Huh?”
- Women and children’s voices are harder to hear
- It’s difficult to hear when there is background noise (i.e., at a restaurant)
- You hear a ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Hearing and Cognition
Your hearing plays an integral role in cognitive health. Your brain relies on your hearing to bring in new sounds to process as information. When left untreated, hearing loss makes it harder for the brain to hear and process sounds, resulting in listening fatigue, forgetfulness, and cognitive decline.
Hearing aids are a great way to reduce the risk of cognitive decline because they provide the brain the with sounds and stimulation it needs to stay healthy.
Tips for Better Communication
Better hearing requires more than just hearing aids. It’s important that your family and close friends help you by following these communication tips!
- Sit or stand 3 to 6 feet away to maximize audibility
- Stay at eye level to help with visual cues
- Make sure you have the person’s attention before speaking
- Try not to speak fast
- Use short, simple sentences
- Instead of repeating what you said, try rephrasing it
