Cambridge Audiology

Signs of Hearing Loss

Because hearing loss can develop over several years, most people are not aware of the extent of their hearing loss until family or friends bring it to their attention. Even then, the problem is often ignored or explained with excuses such as fatigue or "people are mumbling".

Recognizing a hearing loss in yourself or someone you know is the first step toward improving the situation.

Signs of hearing loss include:

• asking others to repeat themselves
• misinterpreting a spoken message
• turning up the volume levels on the television or radio
• difficulty hearing on the telephone
• difficulty hearing in public gatherings- concert halls, theaters, houses of worship- where
• sound sources are far from the listener.
• difficulty understanding conversation within a group of people.
• avoiding group situations, where listening may be difficult or where one may feel
• embarrassed about misunderstanding what is being said.

So if you have a hearing loss, understand that you are not alone.
The latest available statistics show that over 10% of the Canadian population reports difficulty hearing.
If you are among one of those millions of people with hearing loss, you certainly are not alone. Consider these statistics reported by Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute :

• 3 in 10 people over age 60 have hearing loss;
• 1 in 6 baby boomers (ages 41-59), or 14.6%, have a hearing problem;
• 1 in 14 Generation Xers (ages 29-40), or 7.4%, already have hearing loss;
• It is estimated that 3 in 1,000 infants are born with serious to profound hearing loss.

Numerous studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. These include impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, increased risk to personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, and diminished psychological and overall health, as well as economic disadvantages. Fortunately, the vast majority of people with hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids. Recent studies showed that nine out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life.

If you have any questions regarding hearing or hearing aids, contact us at Cambridge Audiology.