Vision and hearing loss are the #1 disability in the world. Hearing loss can happen at any age and be very stressful, not only for the person who is losing their hearing, but also for their spouses and other loved ones.
Hearing loss can put a severe strain on any relationship, especially if its untreated or undiagnosed. The problem is that many people are resistant about going to a doctor for their hearing issues. They hate the idea of getting old, or don’t want to admit there is an issue.
The easiest and best way to tell if your loved one is losing their hearing is to go to a doctor and get a simple hearing test. However, while it may be easy to do from a practical point of view, it may not be from an emotional one. Often people don’t want to admit that their hearing is going. They’ll refuse to get tested because they assume their hearing is fine and they just don’t want to go through the hassle of having a test, or admitting they have a problem.
In other cases, the issue comes on so gradually that they don’t actually realize it’s an issue, and think other people are imagining things.
There are a number of hearing screenings, but the best will be performed by an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT), also known as an otolaryngologist.
It is important to get a proper diagnosis, because in some cases, people have what is termed selective hearing. They only want to pay attention to certain things, so they ‘tune out’ loved ones. Selective hearing is the result of the way a person’s brain interprets the information the ears are sending. They may actually have an attention problem or similar disorder.
Finally, there is noise or ringing in the ears, a condition known as tinnitus (pronounced tin-EYE-tus). It can happen at any age and vary in intensity to the point where it interferes with one’s ability to hear actual sounds.
While your loved ones hearing loss may be annoying to you, it may be dangerous to them and to others. While ignoring hearing loss may seem harmless, it could mean them missing the warning honk of a car or someone calling for help. Your doctor will usually check your ears as part of your annual physical, but if you suspect hearing loss or other ear issues, be sure to go for an expert opinion as to what your hearing problem might be.
