10 Warning Signs of Hearing Loss
- People seem to mumble more frequently.
- You hear, but have trouble understanding all the words in a conversation.
- You often ask people to repeat themselves.
- You find telephone conversation increasingly difficult.
- Your family complains that you play the TV or radio too loudly.
- You no longer hear normal household sounds, such as the dripping of a faucet or the ringing of a doorbell.
- You have trouble hearing when your back is turned to the speaker.
- You have been told that you speak too loudly.
- You experience ringing in your ears.
- You have difficulty understanding conversation when in a large group or crowd.
If you experience any of these problems repeatedly and in combination, they may signal a hearing loss.
Types of Hearing Loss
All hearing problems can be divided into two general groups: Conductive and Sensorineural.
Conductive hearing loss affects the outer or middle ear structures. Causes include a buildup of wax or fluid, a punctured eardrum, or abnormal bone growth in the middle ear. This type of hearing loss can often be improved by medical or surgical methods.
Sensorineural hearing loss involves the deterioration of the delicate "hair cells" of the inner ear and may be referred to as "nerve deafness." Most cases are caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise or the aging process, but may also result from infections, head injuries, and certain medications. While there is no cure, in most cases hearing aids will help.
A person with this type of loss usually hears low-pitched tones better than high ones and may have trouble understanding letters like f, s, th, p, and ch. They may complain a person mumbles, not because the sounds are so soft, but because the words sound jumbled and confusing. Also, the voices of women and children may be more difficult to hear.
How to Talk to Someone Who is Hard of Hearing
If you have a friend or family member who is hard of hearing, you can work out ways of communication. If talking to a hearing impaired person is new to you, here are some tips on being a good communicator.
- Face the person you are speaking to. Be sure you have his or her attention before you start talking.
- It is best not to eat, chew gum, or cover your mouth while talking. It distorts your speech.
- If you are not being understood, repeat yourself. Try rephrasing what you have been saying.
- If you are in a noisy area, move to a quieter spot, if you can.
- Try not to stand with the sun or a bright light behind you; the glare makes it difficult to read your facial expressions and gestures as you talk.
- Naturalness can smooth over rough spots, so relax and be yourself.
- With practice your communication with the hearing impaired will become easy and pleasant.
|
