Washington, DC, June 27, 2013— As summer vacation gets into full swing, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is urging children and adults to protect their hearing, reminding them that noise-induced hearing loss cannot be reversed.
Prolonged exposure to the roar of lawn mowers, power tools, motorized recreational vehicles, target shooting, concerts, loud sporting events, and fireworks all can wreak havoc on our hearing. In fact, the single bang of a firecracker at close range can permanently damage hearing in an instant, making it forever more difficult to hear the subtler sounds of summer.
At the top of our game is where we all want to be. Hearing your best is a career imperative. This is as true in the workplace as it is on the basketball court. But to stay at the top of your game at work and in life, requires staying alert; keeping your skills sharp; and hearing your best. That’s right – hearing your best.
On April 3-6, 2013, four of our audiologists participated in AudiologyNOW!, the American Academy of Audiology's annual conference, in Anaheim, California. It is the world’s largest gathering of audiologists, with audiologists from throughout the United States and the world attending. The symposium provides participants with seminars in audiological research relating to recent studies in both hearing and balance (vestibular). In addition, a vast exhibit hall houses demonstrations of the latest in hearing technology.
Self-Evaluation:
So how does one decide? The first step is for the person with the suspected hearing loss to perform an honest self-evaluation. Consider the following:
How often do I really have difficulty hearing and understanding what is being said?
This means not only noting how often you ask the speaker to repeat what was said, but also the times you smile and nod when you don’t know what a person is saying…or when you laugh without getting the punch line…or when you “tune out” because you cannot follow the conversation….or when you change the channel because you can’t understand a certain speaker. Ask your spouse, children, friends or co-workers how often they have noticed you having difficulty with communication. Tell them you want an honest appraisal. See our website page: “Do I Need a Hearing Aid?” for a personal hearing loss questionnaire.
Most hearing losses involve damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve and are referred to as sensorineural hearing loss. It is sometimes described as “nerve damage” or “nerve deafness”. Unfortunately, sensorineural losses are not usually medically reversible. Numerous causes such as genetic conditions, noise exposure, viruses, and health problems can contribute to sensorineural hearing loss.