Many people lose their hearing as they age. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “1 in 4 Americans between ages 65 and 74 have hearing loss” and “1 in 2 Americans over age 75 have hearing loss.” Often, because this is a slow process happening over a long period of time, many people do not realize they have a problem.
Hearing loss is more often first detected by close friends and family who notice their loved one asking them to repeat often, turning up the volume on the television, and talking loudly. A person with hearing loss may only start to recognize they have a hearing problem after it is pointed out to them by someone else. Some may only seek out a hearing evaluation once the problem becomes serious enough to cause frustration, isolation, or social withdrawal, but, ideally, an appointment with a hearing healthcare professional should be considered long before these types of issues arise.
A hearing evaluation by a licensed audiologist is the best way to determine the type and severity of a hearing loss. They can also make recommendations on how to address your specific issues; including recommending and fitting hearing aids.
If you find that you are hearing people speak, but can’t quite understand what they are saying, are asking people to repeat, have difficulty hearing in background noise, have trouble hearing important sounds like door bells or alarms, or are starting to isolate yourself from social interactions, you may have hearing loss. At Gardner Audiology, our board-certified audiologists aim to provide outstanding care while guiding you through your hearing healthcare journey. To schedule a hearing evaluation please contact us at 1-800-277-1182.
