Issue 18.12
Recently I talked to a good friend, who was visiting his parents. He recounted the conversation between the two of them that went something like this.
Mom, in the dining room: “Did you take out the trash?”
Dad, in the living room: “I have plenty of cash. What do you need money for?”
“What? I don’t want any money.” “Why did you ask for it?” “What did you say? You’re mumbling again.”
He said he felt as though he was in the middle of watching an episode of ABBOTT and COSTELLO. He also quickly commented the only difference is that after a while, the daily misunderstandings and frustrations of having to repeat yourself becomes a whole lot less funny.
When he suggested to his parents that they might want to get their hearing tested, their first reaction (after exasperated sighs) was that they didn’t want to be bothered. Turns out, they’ve got a lot of company. The average person typically struggles with hearing issues for 7 to 10 years before they come in and get treatment to resolve these problems.
The person with a hearing problem is often the last to notice it, because the change comes on gradually over years and starts subtly. Adults with hearing loss typically say, “I can hear just fine if people would just stop mumbling.”
They’re half right. It isn’t that they can’t hear….they can. The problem is that they can’t understand. The first clue to a hearing impairment is mixing up consonants. Age-related hearing loss often occurs in the high-frequency ranges that are directly related to the consonants.
Many older adults think it’s normal to loss some hearing ability. If a majority of older people have hearing loss-and 55% of those over age 70 do- then it can’t be that harmful, right?
WRONG! Because the ear plays a role in balance, hearing loss can lead to falls, said Dr. Lin, assistant professor of otolaryngology and epidemiology at John Hopkins University, citing his own research stating that even mild hearing loss can triple the risk of falling. And then there is the link to dementia. Dr. Lin’s studies also suggest that mild hearing loss is linked to a doubling of dementia risk, and that moderate hearing loss can triple it. With severe hearing loss, the risk can be five times as high. In addition, few people realize that delayed treatment may make hearing loss worse.
After reading this article, if there is any of you that have questions or concerns regarding your hearing or the hearing of a loved one, I personally invite you to come in to Miracle-Ear at 616 S. River Rd. (inside the Deseret First Credit Union Bldg. Suite 210) and get your free hearing evaluation. Please call 673-8743 and make your appointment today!
If hearing loss happens suddenly, it is very intrusive in peoples lives (it would be like wearing ear plugs to an extent). When a loss happens over many years, deteriorating very slowly, it is almost impossible for the person to notice it is happening. It is like watching a plant grow, you can look at it all day and see no change. But after months or years, there is a noticeable difference. The brain is extremely efficient at adapting to hearing loss, so as your hearing is falling your brain is adjusting to these new “normal” levels. The good thing about all this is that you brain will adjust to louder sounds also, so although your hearing aids may sound loud to start with, with consistent use your brain will adapt and the sound of the hearing aids will become your new normal.