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HEARING LOSS..........A REAL DOWNER

Have you noticed how people seem to mumble when they talk to you? Is your television and radio volume control stuck on low? Are you continually saying, "I can't hear you, why don't you speak up"....or...."What did you say, I didn't quite get that!" If your answers are affirmative, it is a sure sign that your hearing is becoming negative. This can be stressful and frustrating.

Age related hearing loss, clinically known as Presbycusis. Easy to identify because it is progressive; starts with high frequency sounds appearing less sharp and difficulty understanding speech especially in a noisy environment. An accumulation of wax in the ear can be a contributing factor. Audiology testing determines the extent of the loss. There are many varied reasons for loss of hearing. If you are sure it is not "selective hearing" then a physical exam is in order.

Here is where the "pound of prevention" comes in. Many people have jobs that cause hearing loss after a period of time. Young people have been repeatedly warned to keep the decibels down when listening to 'their' music. This is a situation of choice...... chain saws, jack-hammers and heavy equipment operators are stuck with it on a day to day basis; considered occupational hearing loss. Some of the other causes are genetic, congenital, traumatic, toxic and just plain aging .Infections such as measles, mumps, scarlet fever and meningitis can cause hearing loss. Of course injury to a part of the ear or head is also a consideration.

There are two categories here: conductive loss when some mechanical part of the ear fails. Nerve loss occurs when there is a physical injury and this is not reversible.

If you are suffering from being unable to hear it needs to be addressed. It can directly affect your lifestyle and it can be very dangerous. There may or may not be pain involved. In any case you need to see your health care provider. He/she will want to do a physical examination so you need to be prepared to answer a number of questions such as which ear, are you able to understand speech and can you locate the source of the sound, how long has the condition persisted and where does it hurt!

There may be other diagnostic tests such as electronic hearing test, CT scan of the head, x-ray of the head, MRI.

You may also be given a Audiogram (hearing test). Audiography gives a more precise measurement of your hearing. There is no special preparation for the test and no discomfort. The time can vary from ten minutes to an hour. Risk free! (Enjoy it, that is probably all that is free.}

Once the diagnosis is made you may be advised to get yourself fitted to a hearing aid. That is a whole new "can of worms." Anyone you talk to will have a different opinion regarding this little devise. Perhaps we will get into 'that' at another time.

Hearing is a sense that we more or less take for granted. We hear the wind, the birds, the laughter of children and the pouring down of rain with thunder. The crackling of a fire, the whisper ,"I love you," in your ear! Music is such wonderful therapy for many, to live without these facets in our lives would mean a real adjustment of lifestyle. Frankly I have not heard many positive reports on how good a lot of hearing aids are; Medicare will not pay for them....it makes me sad to think of the possibility of never hearing the many wonderful sounds of the world

Barbara Gould On-line Columnist Author: "Weird Old Woman Down The Road, and Other Minor Observations." Poetry, short stories and articles on aging available. Contact: mtnmagpie@yahoo.com http://www.geocities.com/mtnmagpie/senior_courier.html

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