Can You Hear Me Now?
Coping with Hearing Loss

After decades of listening to the lawn mower, loud music, city traffic or noisy machinery, the human ear often begins to falter. Hearing loss affects an estimated 30 percent to 35 percent of Americans between 65 and 75 years old, and 40 percent to 50 percent of adults age 75 and older.* Highpitched sounds usually fade first – birds chirping, telephones ringing, even women’s voices. And agerelated hearing loss, or presbycusis, occurs gradually, leaving many victims unaware of its advance.

The result can be frustrating, embarrassing and even dangerous. Older adults may find it difficult to understand a doctor’s orders, respond to warnings or alarms, hear doorbells and interact with friends and family.

Cause and Effect
In addition to long-term noise exposure, heredity, medicines and health conditions can also contribute to hearing loss. Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other vascular conditions may reduce the blood supply to the ear and diminish hearing. Some medications, including quinine, several antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, can also harm the inner ear.

• Difficulty distinguishing highpitched sounds from each other, especially "s"
  and "th."
• Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in a crowd or with
  background noise.
• Asking others to speak more loudly, clearly or slowly.
• Turning up the volume on the television or radio.
• Hearing a ringing, roaring or hissing sound, called tinnitus, in one or both ears.
• Withdrawing from conversations and avoiding social situations.

Living with Hearing Loss
While age-related hearing loss is often permanent, a combination of technology and coping skills may help older adults improve their quality of life.

Hearing aids make sounds stronger and easier to hear. An audiologist can help you decide if a hearing aid is right for you and fit your ear with the best option. Ask about wearing the aid for a trial period before you buy it. Assistive listening devices help eliminate background noise and amplify sounds you want to hear.

They include personal listening systems, as well as TV- and telephone- amplifying devices. Lip reading training teaches you how to interpret mouth and body movements when someone is talking.

• Speak face-to-face. Facial expressions, gestures and lip movements can provide helpful clues.
• Minimize background noise by turning off televisions and radios, and choosing quiet settings for conversations.
• Avoid speaking while chewing or covering your mouth.
• Speak at a normal pace and volume without exaggerating sounds.
• Rephrase complicated sentences if it seems to cause confusion.

Protect Your Ears
To help preserve your hearing longer, wear earmuffs or earplugs in loud environments – whether at work or play – and have your hearing checked regularly. If you think you have a hearing loss, or may be at risk for one, talk to your doctor about hearing testing.

For more information on hearing loss, please contact San Jacinto Methodist Hospital’s Audiology & Speech Department, 281-428-3034.

* Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, www.nidcd.nih.gov.