With an increasing number of individuals living into the eighth and ninth decades of life and beyond, factors affecting the quality of life are becoming increasingly important. One such factor is hearing loss, and the magnitude of the problem is staggering. Approximately 37 million Americans suffer from some degree of hearing loss, and about 30 percent of people over the age of 60 are affected. Hearing loss is one of the key conditions that can rob seniors of function and overall satisfaction with their lives. Unfortunately, questions about hearing, and testing for hearing loss, are often of lesser importance, as members of the healthcare team tend to focus on other chronic medical conditions.
It is important to note that hearing loss my affect individuals in profound ways that may not be communicated to healthcare providers. Patients with hearing loss are more likely to:
• Become depressed
• Seem inattentive or cognitively impaired
• Have strained interpersonal relationships
• Suffer from emotional issues
• Become socially isolated
• Suffer from decreased function and productivity, both at work and at home
• Have reduced alertness leading to safety issues.
Fortunately, physicians and other health care providers can play a major role in improving their patients’ quality of life by screening for hearing loss, and by appropriately triaging those who test positive. To access some valuable resources and tools related to the detection and treatment of hearing loss you can ask your physician to refer you to an audiologist in your area.
We are here to help people lead better social lives through better communication. We have helped people with their jobs, marriage and getting along with others by providing proper amplification and care.
If you suffer from a hearing/understanding problem or as a family member you are frustrated trying to communicate with a loved one, please call us at Audiology Associates and let us help you. We can be reached at 661-288-1400.