Do I have a Hearing Loss?
Hearing Loss Causes
There are many different causes of hearing loss, with the most common being the aging process. Hearing loss can also be caused by exposure to loud noise, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma, congenital (birth or prenatal) or hereditary factors, diseases, as well as a number of other causes.
Millions of Americans have hearing loss and recent statistics suggest approximately 1 in 10 people have hearing loss and 1 in 3 for people over the age of 65 (NIDCD, 2007). And according to experts, hearing loss is on the rise for all age groups.
Signs of Hearing Loss
- You hear people speaking but you have to strain to understand their words.
- You frequently ask people to repeat what they said.
- You don’t laugh at jokes because you miss too much of the story or the punch line.
- You frequently complain that people mumble.
- You need to ask others about the details of a meeting you just attended.
- You play the TV or radio louder than your friends, spouse and relatives.
- You cannot hear the doorbell or the telephone.
- You find that looking at people when they speak to you makes it easier to understand.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a hearing professional for a full hearing evaluation. A hearing evaluation allows the hearing professional to determine the type and degree of your hearing loss, as well as how well or how poorly you understand speech. The hearing evaluation will also include a thorough case history as well as visual inspection of the ear canals and eardrum.
The results of the hearing evaluation are used to determine if medical intervention is needed or if the hearing loss would be best treated by hearing aids. If there are any medical concerns shown in the hearing evaluation, the hearing professional will refer you to a physician specializing in the ear, such as an Otolaryngologist.
Worth Hearing Center
Penn-Mont Professional Plaza
7520 Montgomery Blvd NE - Suite E-15
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109
Phone: 505-349-4928