BackHearing, Health & the Audiologist
Article submitted by David W. Swenson M.S., CCC-A, owner and audiologist of Friends & Family Hearing Healthcare. He can be reached at 801-375-4146.
Hearing loss may arise from many different factors. Diabetes, kidney and thyroid disorders, certain medications, and genetic factors illnesses such as meningitis, ear infections, and noise exposure. The hearing impaired individual may not realize anything is wrong, as some types of hearing loss do not affect all sounds equally. Low frequency sounds may be heard at near normal levels, while higher frequency sounds may be severely impaired. This type of hearing loss results in the complaint "I can hear but don't understand words." Eventually, the ability to hear voices and environmental sounds will decrease. As hearing loss becomes more severe even basic independent living skills become jeopardized.
There have been incredible advancements in hearing aid technology in recent years and it is now possible for hearing aids to provide people with high clarity of hearing in almost any environment.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the latest advancements and continue to believe that hearing aids have limited use. Even many physicians do not always understand the negative effects hearing loss can have on their patients' everyday lives. Research has linked untreated hearing loss with depression and other stress related illnesses.
Hearing instruments are only a part of the total hearing rehabilitation process. Many people are unaware of the difference between Audiologists and "Hearing Instrument Specialists". Hearing instrument specialists are not required to have any collegiate training, they simply apprentice under another hearing instrument specialist. Federal law prohibits them from offering a diagnosis from their test results. The initials BC-HIS do not represent an academic degree. Hearing Instrument Specialists are only licensed to sell hearing aids and accessories. Only an audiologist has the education necessary to assist you through the process of becoming readapted to the sounds of everyday life.
Purchasing hearing aids is a healthcare service, not a sales transaction and should be entrusted only to healthcare professionals with the most rigorous academic credentials. A certified audiologist has an advanced university degree. Audiologists provide diagnostic hearing evaluations and will diagnose your hearing problem. He/she will refer you to a physician if test results suggest a medically treatable condition. When hearing aids are the appropriate treatment an audiologist will counsel with you and help you consider all important personal factors such as your lifestyle, budget, and your individual hearing loss needs.