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Hearing Loss
What is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is a medical disorder that
affects nearly 30 million people in the
United
States. Impaired hearing may be caused by
many things.
Older people are the largest group
affected by hearing loss. The contributors
range from excessive noise, drugs, toxins,
and heredity.
In children, the most common cause of
hearing loss is ear infections or fluid in
the middle ear.
Diseases and disorders that
contribute to hearing loss include tinnitis,
presbycusis, and Usher's syndrome, among
others.
How is Hearing Loss Treated?
In some patients, hearing loss can be
surgically corrected. For others, medical
devices, such as hearing aids, and
rehabilitation therapies can often help
reduce
hearing loss.
To determine the exact cause of your
hearing loss, and how it can be managed,
contact your physician for a complete
medical examination. If you suspect you have
hearing loss, answer these questions
suggested by the National Institutes of
Health:
Do you have a problem hearing over the
telephone?
Do you have trouble following the
conversation when two or more people are
talking
at the same time?
Do people complain that you turn the TV
volume up too high?
Do you have to strain to understand
conversation?
Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy
background?
Do you find yourself asking people to repeat
themselves?
Do many people you talk to seem to mumble or
not speak clearly?
Do you misunderstand what others are saying
and respond inappropriately?
Do you have trouble understanding the speech
of women and children?
Do people get annoyed because you
misunderstand what they say?
If you answered yes to three or more of
these questions, you may want to see an
otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat
specialist), or an audiologist for a hearing
evaluation.
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