Learning to Adjust with Hearing Loss
Learning to adjust with hearing loss becomes an essential part of life for many people, particularly senior citizens. For many of them, hearing loss is a gradual process. At first it is annoying, and in time, it becomes a problem not only to the person who is losing auditory capabilities, but also to his family and friends.
Hearing loss comes about gradually. Initially it is barely perceptible, but as time goes on the volume on the TV and radio gets set higher and higher. The phone ringer becomes barely audible and conversing on the telephone, a maddening experience. The doorbell disappears. Lip reading becomes a key element when watching a movie. The most frequently used words become “huh” and “what”.
Someone who is losing their hearing can often be spotted at the table with a group of friends who are engaged in a lively conversation. He is the person with the bewildered smile on his face, nodding in agreement to a conversation he can not hear. In fact, he may have no idea of what is transpiring all around him. People start drifting away fearing that they may get stuck in a conversation with him. Very often hearing loss is mistaken for dementia.
But guess what? There is relief available. The condition can be improved dramatically with the use of hearing aids. A visit to an audiologist can change a person’s life. Scientifically advanced testing will assess the hearing loss; then determine which hearing aid is best suited for the user.
At that point, the world changes. Sound is everywhere. Suddenly the voice of a spouse sounds as it did years ago during courtship. The sounds of the engine roaring and a turn signal clicking are clear again. The sounds of water splashing, birds singing, doorbells, phones and best of all the sounds of conversation have returned.
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