Identifying the Signs of Hearing Loss
If you think you may be living with some degree of hearing loss, you are not alone. Approximately 48 million Americans, 18 and over, live with some form of disabling hearing loss and most don’t seek treatment for about years from the first signs. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is hoping to change that.
The HLAA, now in its 40th year, has a mission to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support, and advocacy. The organization strives to give tools to people living with hearing loss so that their lives may be fuller and to show them that they’re not alone.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
There are many symptoms associated with hearing loss and being keenly aware of them can both aid in early diagnosis and avoid compromising your mental and physical health. You can start by asking broad questions, then work toward more specific ones. For example: do you ask others to repeat themselves often? Do you have difficulty hearing on the phone? Do you have trouble focusing on your conversation in group settings?
Then, move on to more specific, situation-based questions like: Do you avoid your favorite outing with friends because it’s too loud? Are large family gatherings difficult because of many simultaneous voices? Are you hesitant to disclose your hearing loss at work because you think it might put your job in jeopardy?
If any of these are familiar, make use of online tools to test your hearing on your own or consult with a hearing health professional.
Identifying Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is personal. It is based on one’s behavior, history, and the results of a hearing examination. The aforementioned situations are a small example of reasons next steps should be taken to properly diagnose potential disabling hearing loss.
The HLAA recommends booking a consultation with a hearing health provider for a complete hearing test or see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) if you experience any of the following:
- History of pain, active drainage, or bleeding from an ear
- Sudden onset or rapidly progressive hearing loss
- Acute, chronic, or recurrent episodes of dizziness
- Visualization of blood, pus, cerumen plug, foreign body, or other material in the ear canal
- Unilateral or asymmetric hearing loss
There are also online questionnaires and self-tests available, as well as portals on websites that help you find a hearing specialist near you. The results from a hearing test can tell you what kind of hearing loss you have and what steps are recommended next. If ever you are told that nothing can be done, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.
Hearing Health Professionals: A Guide
It’s not always easy to ask for help, but when you’ve gathered the courage to do so, where do you turn? This is a quick reference to three types of hearing health professionals and their specialties.
The first is an Audiologist, a health care professional qualified to perform a thorough evaluation of your hearing. They can determine the type of hearing loss and the degree to which you are afflicted. An audiologist can also determine if hearing aids can help and, if so, the best kind for you. They will recommend a treatment program to assist with any communication needs you might have and may recommend a medical evaluation.
Then, there’s the Otolaryngologist, which is a big word for an ear, nose and throat doctor. An ENT is a highly trained physician trained in medical and surgical treatment of the ear, nose throat, and related structures of the head and neck. If you are searching for an otolaryngologist, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is a good place to start.
Finally, the Hearing Instrument Specialist, a professional who has been certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (BC-HIS). These specialists are registered or licensed in all states and perform assessments, fits and dispenses hearing aids, and instructs in the use and care of said devices. If you are looking for a BC-HIS, visit the International Hearing Society’s website.
There has also been a recent partnership between the Hearing Loss Association of America and the Ida Institute in Denmark to “enhance the quality of audiological rehabilitation and support the advancement of hearing care” called Ida Telecare. It is an online platform that engages users and offers people with hearing loss user-friendly tools and resources to help manage day-to-day tasks.
With the ever-growing wealth on information available online, it is easier than ever to locate resources to aid your hearing health. Here on our site, you can get information, find a professional in your area, shop discount hearing aids, and learn about financial assistance that may be available to you. All of these resources aim to equip you with tools—information, hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc. — to live your fullest life, where hearing loss doesn’t have the last word.
