Having trouble talking on the phone is
often an early indicator of hearing loss
presbycusis, is very gradual and
insidious, and many people may not
realize they are affected or to what
degree.
Wood says having trouble while
talking on the phone is often an
early indicator of loss because visual
cues are not available. People may
also notice they are feeling more
tired than usual because they have
to actively pay attention to sounds
around them rather than passively
listening. “When family members
start complaining that the TV volume
is too high, it might be time to come
and get a hearing test.”
Normal hearing loss most often
occurs in both ears, and older people
usually have a combination of
age-related hearing loss and noise-
induced hearing loss (blame those
rock concerts in your 20s). Men more
commonly lose the high-frequency
sounds, such as the higher-pitched
voices of women and children, while
women can have flat loss across
frequencies.
Audiologists use hearing tests to
determine a person’s hearing loss.
Woods says most hearing loss can
be treated with hearing aids, but
unlike correcting vision, which is
immediate, it takes time because the
brain must be retrained to receive
sound from the ear.
People may also benefit from
aural rehabilitation classes, which
help them adjust to hearing loss,
maximize hearing aid benefits,
manage conversations, make
speeches and deal with background
noise.
Wood believes the stigma of
wearing hearing aids is disappearing
and says people who come into her
clinic are surprised by the improved
technology and wireless options
available. “The tiny buds can be
Bluetooth-controlled by a pocket
device so you don’t have to use your
hand to adjust the volume. With so
many iPods and wearable Bluetooth
devices out there, it is ubiquitous to
have something in your ear.”
For information about Alberta
Health Services audiology services
where you live, call Health Link
at 811.
— Dawna Freeman
Tips for communicating if you have hearing loss
•;Tell;people;that;you;have;difficulty;hearing;and;ask;if;they;can;speak;more;clearly
•;Choose;a;good;listening;position
•;Use;visual;cues
•;Turn;off;noise;or;move;away;before;communicating
•;Request;only;one;person;speak;at;a;time
•;When;dining;out,;go;when;it’s;likely;to;be;less;busy;and;sit;across;from;your;guests;rather
than beside them. Ask for a table along a side wall
•;Repeat;information;to;the;talker;to;be;sure;you;received;it;correctly
•;Sit;with;your;better;hearing;ear;towards;the;speaker.;Best;communication;distance;is;about
1 to 1.2 metres ( 3 to 4 feet).
Tips for communicating with someone who has
hearing loss
•;Be;patient;;hearing;aids;take;time;and;practice;to;be;effective
•;Ask;the;person;with;hearing;loss;if;there;is;anything;you;can;do;to;improve;his/her;hearing
and speech understanding
•;Inform;the;listener;of;topic;changes;as;they;occur;in;conversation
•;Change;words;or;repeat;the;message;if;the;listener;does;not;understand
•;Speak;at;an;average;rate
•;Remove;things;from;your;face;before;talking
•;Move;closer;to;the;listener,;call;the;listener’s;name;or;touch;her;arm;before;talking
•;Conversation;is;easier;in;good;lighting.
