We’ve all done it, whether we have hearing loss or not: You’re having a conversation with someone you’ve never met in a chaotic environment like a bar or restaurant. After a few quick back and forths — “So how do you know Rob?” “How do you like working there?” — your conversational partner launches into a monologue about some aspect …
Hearing loss affects 48 million Americans today. A problem so widespread ought to be better-understood by more of us, but alas many of us are not sure what to do to accommodate a person with hearing loss. It’s a hidden disorder, and what we can’t see is often hard to address. We might think that hearing loss simply makes the …
When we think of careers that put us at risk for noise-induced hearing loss, a few obvious ones come to mind. Military personnel suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus more than any other medical problem. Industrial workers, surrounded by loud machines, are at increased risk (though employers are mandated to supply ear protection or reduce ambient noise levels). And, of …
If you’re considering getting hearing aids, or if you’ve already got some and it’s time for a new pair, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the options available today. Hearing aids have come a long way, so consider what options might be best for you before visiting your hearing healthcare specialist. With a price range of $900-3,000, …
Hearing loss is an unfortunate part of life for many of us, and as it sets in it can create some real difficulties in communication. Many family members of those with hearing loss have expressed frustration at the situation (some going so far as to trick a family member into coming in for a hearing test; a practice we don’t …
When Sony released its Walkman cassette player in 1983, they might not have known they would become the bane of audiologists the world over in such a short time. Within months, hearing experts were warning about the dangers of playing music so loudly and directly into the ears. Little did they know, almost 40 years later, devices would play music …
Those who have lived with hearing loss for some time know just how tiring it is to get through a day. If you’re new to hearing loss, or aren’t even sure if you have it, you might not realize that hearing loss is contributing (or, by itself, causing) the fatigue you’re experiencing day to day. Most people start experiencing age-related …
If there is anything we can say for sure about our modern society, it’s that it is LOUD. Street traffic, machines for mowing and cleaning, iPods, heaters, air conditioners, music festivals, you name it. Just about every time we leave the house, we are at risk for hearing loss. In fact, one out of five American teenagers has detectable hearing …
For over 40 years, it’s been the case that only one out of five people with age-related hearing loss wears hearing aids. Considering the deeply profound link between untreated hearing loss and overall physical and mental decline, this stubborn statistic is troubling. Fortunately, hearing aid technology gets better and better, and we now have the option of cochlear implants for …
It can be hard to get a break from the sounds around us as technology continues to develop. This is a significant issue that should not be overlooked because constant noise can lead to irreversible loss of hearing. How loud is too loud? Sound is measured in units called decibels (dB). Noise-induced hearing loss can begin at 75dB when you …