Last Updated: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 10:22 AM CDT
News : Miracle-Ear amplifies a silent problem
In honor of Hearing Aid Awareness Week (September 30 to October 6), local Miracle-Ear outlets in the Antigo area wanted to amplify a silent problem - hearing-impaired people who avoid getting hearing aids. It is estimated that 80 percent of the 31.5 million hearing-impaired people in the United States that could benefit from a hearing aid do not have one.
"Many people avoid getting hearing aids because they may be denying they have a problem, think they cost too much or are concerned with how they will look," said Steve Huart, Au.D., Director of Professional Development, Amplifon USA.
Unfortunately, Huart said, untreated hearing impairment has been linked to depression in a study conducted by the National Council on the Aging.
"There can be serious emotional consequences associated with untreated hearing impairment, it's not just an inconvenience," Huart said.
It was the pervasive denial and the lack of consumer awareness of improvements in hearing aid technology that led the International Hearing Society to start Hearing Aid Awareness Week in 1995. The event has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's National Health Information Center and is included in the 2007 National Health Observances Calendar.
Hearing loss may come from infections, strokes, head injuries, some medicines, tumors, other medical problems or even too much ear wax. It can also result from repeated exposure to very loud noise, such as music, power tools or jet engines. Changes in the way the ear works as a person ages can also affect hearing according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
According to Huart, a person may need a hearing aid if:
* people ask them to lower their voice when talking to them
* they have the TV or radio volume louder than other people do
* they have a difficult time following a conversation where there is background noise, such as a noisy restaurant
* they can't hear a noise if they're not facing the direction it's coming from
* they hear better out of one ear
* they keep hearing ringing or hissing background noise
* they can't hear certain sounds such as high musical notes, a slow drip in a faucet
The best way to determine if someone needs to address their hearing is to consult with a licensed hearing healthcare professional and get a hearing test.
"We strongly recommend that a hearing test be conducted in order to determine the scope of the impairment and to develop the proper solution," said Huart.
Many people don't realize that there have been significant technology advances in the area of hearing aids, reducing their size and profile and making them less conspicuous and more comfortable.
Here are some of the most common types of hearing aids:
* Behind-the-Ear: This kind of hearing aid fits behind the ear and carries sound to the ear through a custom ear mold. They are useful for mild to severe hearing loss.
* Open-Canal: This behind-the-ear style of hearing aid is very small, making it almost invisible on the ear. It uses an open tip fitting so ears do not feel plugged. Suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.
* In-the-Ear: These are custom-made to fit in the outer ear. You can't see any wires because they are inside the aid. They are useful for mild to moderate hearing loss.
* In-the-Ear-Canal: This kind of hearing aid is custom-made to fit in the ear canal. There are no outside wires or tubes. These hearing aids are almost impossible to see. They help people with all but the worst hearing loss.
"We can quite often fit our clients with hearing aids that are barely noticeable, helping them feel less self-conscious," Huart said.
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