Can You Hear Me Now?
Article submitted by Dr. Jina M. Scherer, Doctor of Audiology, Audiology Associates of Nashville.
For more information, they can be reached at 615-354-8011.
This is a catchy little phrase that I'm sure most of you have heard, but let's ponder this phrase for a moment in a more serious light. Can YOU hear me now. I'm posing this question to you regarding your hearing today. Yes, Your HEARING. There are many people all around you that struggle with hearing loss. These people come in many shapes and sizes-Young and old, short and tall with a wide array of various traits. I'm sure that as you think about it, you know at least one person that struggles with hearing loss and its effects on the social aspects of life. Think about it, you use your hearing to communicate information, share laughs, to warn of danger, to express emotion, to understand your doctor, to hear you children and grandchildren, and to participate in life. These are very important aspects of your life that should not be missed and do not need to be missed.
Hearing loss that that occurs with aging is called presbycusis. Basically, this is hearing loss that occurs gradually over the years and tends to sneak up on people until one day they realize they seem to be missing a lot of important information. This type of hearing loss often results in the symptoms that are best described as being able to hear, but unable to understand speech clearly. Often times people with hearing loss don't recognize it as such because this loss of their hearing occurs gradually and it's easier to think that everyone mumbles, doesn't speak clearly, or has a problem rather than facing the truth that they may have a problem and now need to actually do something about this problem. In truth, hearing loss can have very extreme effects on both the person with hearing loss and those friends and loved ones they associate with.
Hearing loss, if left untreated, can lead to depression, isolation, anger, resentment, and misunderstanding. This happens because the hearing system, which lets you communicate, shares, and enjoy a quality of life, is not working as it used to. However, the good news is there is something you can do to improve this situation dramatically. The first step is to visit an audiologist and find out how your hearing system is working.
When you visit the audiologist, you will be asked a number of questions relating to your hearing situation and then you will have a complete hearing test which asses the auditory system. After the test is completed, the test results will be recorded on an audiogram and then explained to you. Now, you are at the point to do something to improve your hearing. This can include a variety of options including good communication strategies, assistive listening devices, and hearing aids. The good news is that once you take the first step by admitting there may be a problem and have a hearing test completed, you can now be on the way to improving your quality of life and be well on the way to saying, yes, I can hear you now!!!