Your Hearing Health

by Janice S. White

July 30, 2010

Your hearing is a precious sense. When Helen Keller was asked if she could have either her sight or hearing restored, which would she choose, hearing was her answer. Why? Because hearing connects you to the rest of the world.

When hearing changes it is usually gradual. Bits of information slipping out of our grasp a little at a time. This quiet theft of communication leaves us frustrated and often in denial. Many times I hear a potential patient say, "I can hear but I can't understand the words." As a hearing aid wearer myself, I can tell you it doesn't have to be this way. Remarkable technology exists to assist us.

The journey begins with a simple hearing evaluation. Some facilities will provide your initial screening free of charge. Your first visit to a hearing care professional should last about 45 minutes.

A visual inspection of the ear canal and the tympanic membrane should be performed. (Your hearing specialist may have a video-otoscope so you can see the inside of your ear on a monitor.) If the ear canal is healthy, free of obstructions (wax or infection, etc.), and the eardrum has no visible damage, a pure tone test can be performed.

After the evaluation, results of your exam should be discussed. You should be given ample time to have your questions and concerns addressed.

Everyone should submit to a basic hearing evaluation early and annually. It is painless, and in some cases free. As with any other health concern, early detection and early treatment provide the best result. A licensed hearing care professional is trained to recognize conditions that require medical treatment and can make a referral to a medical doctor.

Once it has been determined that no medical treatment is warranted, you may want to discuss the benefits of amplification. Many types and levels of technology exist to augment your hearing. A well-trained hearing instrument specialist can help narrow the field for you. It is important to zero in on just the right answer for your personal lifestyle and hearing objectives.