HEARING LOSS CAN AFFECT ANY AGE

Hearing loss is a problem that is generally considered to be part of the aging process. But it is a problem hardly limited to the elderly. An estimated 23.5 million people in the United States have a hearing loss, and 40 percent of those are under the age of 65.

Steven L. Brown, a local clinical audiologist, says it is important that people of all ages take proper precautions to prevent damage to their hearing and also have hearing evaluated, especially if they sense problems.

He points out that in recent years there has been an increased awareness of the problems of hearing loss. More children are being screened for hearing problems, OSHA standards have been upgraded to require more hearing protection in the workplace, and elderly people are becoming more aware of hearing loss associated with the aging process.

"I think if people suspect they have a problem, they need to be checked," said Brown. "If parents have some question or doubt about a child's hearing, there should be some screening done, and for adults the best thing is a complete evaluation.

"If in doubt, just have it checked. Screening is easy and fairly inexpensive. After screening, if there is a problem, we know what we are dealing with."

In many instances hearing problems can be corrected with medication or surgery. If not, hearing aids can be used.

Audiologists like Brown provide a diagnosis of hearing problems for doctors, but do not do surgery.

"We do testing to determine problems in the ear. We do things like see kids with ear infections, people who have had hearing damaged by trauma, and deal with hearing loss due to the aging process, disorders and disability, or diseases in the auditory system," explained Brown.

In cases where surgery or medication cannot correct the problem, audiologists assist with rehabilitation, counseling, getting hearing aides, and making contact with agencies that can provide services for people with hearing loss.

Audiologists also provide counseling for parents, teachers, and others on how to deal with children that have hearing problems.

Hearing loss caused by aging generally begins around the ages of 55 to 60, according to Brown. "Many times, a person may be 65 to 70 when it has changed enough to affect their communication," he explained.

A study by the American Association of Retired Persons estimates that fewer than 4 million people wear hearing aids and as many as 20 million people could benefit from them. About 60 percent of the people who could benefit are elderly, and the association stresses the importance of people getting checked.

Brown said people who delay getting hearing aids miss out on a great deal.

"Postponing it just means they go longer without hearing and understanding people. Getting an aid earlier doesn't save hearing, but we do find people who deal with the problem earlier do better in the long run," said Brown.

He compares it to learning a foreign language. Just after studying the language, a person can speak and understand it well, but if the language is not used for some time, people don't understand it as easily until they get used to hearing and using it again.

"In some cases, it has been so long since they have heard certain sounds it takes longer to adjust and make sense of the sounds," said Brown.

In younger people, Brown says loud noises cause most of the damage to hearing.

"The majority of hearing loss I see in people between the ages of 20 and 50 are due to noise trauma. Typically it is in the males and most often related to exposure to machinery or firearms," said Brown.

"OSHA has really clamped down on the industries. There is greater awareness and regulations about noise and wearing hearing protection. I think in the work place, areas are much safer from noise trauma, but a lot of times an employee gets off work and uses his chain saw or shotgun and is still getting trauma."

Brown points out that once there is damage done to the ear, it is permanent. "Sometimes you might have temporary loss, but there is always some degree of permanent loss," said Brown.

According to OSHA standards, someone would not be able to fire a shotgun without some permanent damage.

But Brown said damage is not determined just by the volume of noise, but the length of time someone is exposed to it.

Loud music can cause some damage, but Brown noted that many times it is not as dangerous as noise from a shotgun or chain saw.

"Overall I think there is a much greater awareness now of hearing loss and the needs for hearing protection," summed up Brown. "I also think there is a lot greater acceptance of having a loss and using a hearing aid."