Published by Special For KOLD News 13
SOUTHERN ARIZONA - Think you know the facts about hearing loss?
Chances are you’ve been misled by reading common myths through the years.
While age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among adults aged 20-69, with the greatest amount of hearing loss in the 60 to 69 age group, the truth is that exposure to loud noise is the number one cause of hearing loss, with roughly 40 million adults measuring loss in tests. Meanwhile, hereditary factors and health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other circulatory problems also cause hearing loss, along with some medications, antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs—otherwise known as ototoxic drugs.
The need for hearing amplification is dependent on your lifestyle, your degree of hearing loss and your specific listening needs. If you are a teacher or a lawyer, for example, refined hearing is necessary to understand the nuances of communication. Therefore, you may not be able to tolerate even a mild level of hearing loss. On the other hand, if you live alone or in a rural area and seldom socialize, then your tolerance level for moderate hearing loss may be higher.
Studies by the Better Hearing Institute show that only 14% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss during a physical. Like vision checks and teeth cleanings, and of course physical checkups, hearing tests are your best chance at assessing your hearing health needs before issues, if any, start to impede on your quality of life....
Read the full article on KOLD News 13 here.
Comments