Being able to hear what is going on around you is a major part of leading a normal, full and enjoyable life. Interacting effectively with others and the environment as a whole is significantly less challenging when your hearing is functioning at or near it's full capacity. When it's not, it's easy to start having difficulty understanding what is happening. Although man associate hearing loss with old age, it can happen to anyone regardless of how old they are. Anyone who is experiencing signs of such difficulties should take them seriously and possibly have a hearing evaluation performed to determine the cause and best form of treatment.
The problems often develop gradually, making the signs difficult to detect for the in whom the hearing loss is occurring. It is common for the signs to be more easily noticed by others who live with or spend a lot of time with them.
The signs often manifest in changes in behavior. Classic signs are when the TV or radio is at an unusually high volume compared to what used to be used in the past. This can occur gradually over time and be nearly undetectable to the individual having the difficulty but others may notice more easily. Frequent complaints of the person not listening to what is being said could indicate an issue as well. Another sign to watch for decreased attendance at social events, which could indicate that they are trying to avoid situations in which they need to be able to hear well to communicate effectively.
When signs occur and it is suspected that there is a significant issue, a visit to the doctor is in order. The physician may in turn refer the patient to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
There are different ways of evaluating hearing. An audiometer test is administered with the patient sitting in a soundproof and wearing a special set of earphones. These are connected to the audiometer, which produces tones in range of volumes and frequencies to determine the ones at which there are deficiencies. A chart known as an audiogram is produced during the test so that the audiologist can evaluate the results.
Another test is to use a tuning fork. The vibrating tuning fork is placed in the middle of the patient's forehead and they identify whether the sound is louder in either ear or equal in both ears. If it appears to be louder in one ear then this can help to determine the type of hearing loss that is occurring.
Another test can be performed to assess how well one can hear when there is background noise. The patient must repeat sentences that they hear. This is done at first without any background noise, then it repeated with extra noise coming from different angles and at differing volumes.
When the hearing evaluation has been completed, the course of treatment can be determined. Ideally the measures taken will be able to restore enough of the hearing that has been lost to allow for a normal, enjoyable life.
The problems often develop gradually, making the signs difficult to detect for the in whom the hearing loss is occurring. It is common for the signs to be more easily noticed by others who live with or spend a lot of time with them.
The signs often manifest in changes in behavior. Classic signs are when the TV or radio is at an unusually high volume compared to what used to be used in the past. This can occur gradually over time and be nearly undetectable to the individual having the difficulty but others may notice more easily. Frequent complaints of the person not listening to what is being said could indicate an issue as well. Another sign to watch for decreased attendance at social events, which could indicate that they are trying to avoid situations in which they need to be able to hear well to communicate effectively.
When signs occur and it is suspected that there is a significant issue, a visit to the doctor is in order. The physician may in turn refer the patient to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
There are different ways of evaluating hearing. An audiometer test is administered with the patient sitting in a soundproof and wearing a special set of earphones. These are connected to the audiometer, which produces tones in range of volumes and frequencies to determine the ones at which there are deficiencies. A chart known as an audiogram is produced during the test so that the audiologist can evaluate the results.
Another test is to use a tuning fork. The vibrating tuning fork is placed in the middle of the patient's forehead and they identify whether the sound is louder in either ear or equal in both ears. If it appears to be louder in one ear then this can help to determine the type of hearing loss that is occurring.
Another test can be performed to assess how well one can hear when there is background noise. The patient must repeat sentences that they hear. This is done at first without any background noise, then it repeated with extra noise coming from different angles and at differing volumes.
When the hearing evaluation has been completed, the course of treatment can be determined. Ideally the measures taken will be able to restore enough of the hearing that has been lost to allow for a normal, enjoyable life.
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