Understanding Hearing Loss
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Understanding Hearing Loss
Over 31 million Americans today experience mild to moderate hearing loss. This number is expected to rise in the next decade, faster than the overall population. If you know a loved one among this group, they've got lots of company.
The ways in which hearing loss can occur and present itself varies. Hearing loss can be a natural result of the aging process (called Presbycusis); it can also be caused by the environment around us -- by a one-time exposure to loud sound or by repeated exposure to sounds at various loudness levels over an extended period of time (called Noise-Induced Hearing Loss).
In many cases, signs of hearing loss can appear gradually and people often learn to cope with the problem as it progresses. In other cases, the problem seems to develop more quickly. You should suspect a hearing problem if your loved one is experiencing any of the following issues:
- Needs people to repeat themselves
- Appears to have a hard time following group conversations or hearing in noisy situations (malls, restaurants, etc.)
- Turns up the volume on the TV or radio so it is loud to everyone else
- Responds inappropriately to questions
- Intently watches people's faces or read their lips when they are talking
It is also important to note that hearing loss can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition or the result of excessive wax build up. A physician can treat these conditions. If your loved one has not already done so, he or she should consult a doctor to rule out these or other medical conditions.
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