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Perhaps it was present at birth. Perhaps it had been the result of a poorly treated or even an untreated ear infection or other ailment. Perhaps it's just getting older.

Whatever the case may be, at some point in their lives, someone or their loved ones have suffered from hearing loss, and living in a world of silence or near-silence is one that can be difficult to adjust or the transition easier with a few changes, depending on the person's approach to this impairment.

Sometimes hearing problems can make the affected person feel embarrassed and isolated, and sometimes their aloofness can be mistaken for withdrawing because they can't follow a conversation in group settings, such as a family gathering or a restaurant.

It's also been a mistaken assumption for friends and family of a hearing impaired person that has not sought treatment (or even either isn't aware they have a problem or are in denial) to think the person with hearing loss are confused, uncaring, or difficult, when the problem may be that they are just hard of hearing.

Two points to remember: Minor decreases in hearing are common after age 20, and problems with hearing usually come on gradually, and rarely end in complete deafness. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many with hearing loss can go on to lead normal, productive lives.


Signs of hearing loss:

Perhaps either you or a loved one have either done or are doing one of the following. If at least three of these happens to be the case, see a doctor:


Have trouble hearing over the telephone without an amplifier feature.
Find it hard to follow conversations when two or more people are talking (this was a problem of mine before being diagnosed)
Need to turn up the TV volume so loud that others complain.
Have a problem hearing because of background noise (this was also a problem of mine).
Sense that others seem to mumble.
Can't understand when women and children speak to you (a major problem with a great deal of hearing impaired people).



What will I expect at a doctor's appointment?

Sometimes a diagnosis can be made by one's own personal physician, but in most cases, the person may be referred either to an otolaryngologist, a specialist in the ear, nose, and throat, who will take a medical history, do an exam, and ask for any family history of hearing problems, or a referral may be made to an audiologist, a professional trained to measure hearing using an audiometer to test a patient's ability to hear sounds of different pitch and loudness. These tests are

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