Dealing With Hearing Loss/Should I Get Aids?

My hearing is probably only 60-70% in both ears. I have a diffucult time hearing other people when they are talking or when there are background noises in the room. I should get my ears checked; however, I am a little nervous on account it is a sign of aging to me.

I have issues when conversing with someone who talks softly. I feel bad constantly asking them to speak up because I can not hear a thing. It is very frustrating. However, anyone who wants to communicate can accommodate those people's needs. It is only out of respect.

When my hearing becomes a real issue, I will get hearing aids. Right now, it is not a huge problem to where I absolutely need them.

Perhaps you should get it checked out sooner before it gets worse. Sometimes hearing loss could get so severe where it might be more difficult to improve.

I will not let it get so severe where it would be hard to mask the problem. If my hearing loss gets to be too much of a pain I will benefit from aids and then purchase. Right now it is a minor issue where the hearing aids would not be cost beneficial.

Some clinics will let you have at least a 30 - 45 day trial where you can test the hearing aid out for free. If you like it, feel free to purchase, if not, that is your perogative. This is your health and your life. Most people; however, find a good clinic, do the free trial, find the right hearing aid, and are extremely pleased at how much it improves their hearing. It also improves their lifestyle because they do not have to constantly ask people to speak up. Everyone benefits!

Bottom line:

IT IS BETTER TO PREVENTATIVE THAN TRYING TO CURE THE ALREADY EXISTING PROBLEM!

Statistics show that people who have hearing problems wait about 6-7 years before they actually get tested. Doctors suggest that if you notice even the slightest change in your hearing, get them checked.

Some people might not even notice that their hearing has changed until the problem turns drastic. Symptoms like dizziness or loss of balance are not usually related to ears so people overlook it. Hearing aids do help even if you think it is too late.

Hearing loss is common in older adults. Stattistics show that one in three people older than 60 and half of those older than 85 have hearing loss. Hearing problems make life harder and result in negative lifestyle changes. Responding to warnings, and hearing doorbells and alarms are diffucult. Talking with friends and family are less enjoyable. All this can be frustrating and embarrassing.

I have been on a long road with Tinnitus. Not an easy one at that. I went to an ear, nose and throat specialist to help me with the ringing. He told me I need to learn to deal with it because nothing could be done. He was right to a point. I was referred by a friend to a Transcendental Meditation because I was losing my patience and became angry because of the constant ringing.

I was attending classes and they improved my stress and tinnitus tremendously! I learned then that if you are told to live with Tinnitus, get a second opinion.

Great info. My tinnitus drives me crazy and it seems to be getting worse. I appreciated your post!

Tinnitus and depression have a strong link between the two. The ringing in their heads drive them insane! There are some suggestions that can be taken to avoid depression coinciding with tinnitus. Here are some:

1)Taking Valium or Xanax to relieve the stress and decrease the ringing.
2)Taking Neurontin combined with a low dose of Klonopin can reduce suffering (doctor prescribed).
3)Hearing aids.
4)Sound Therapy

Most of all just try and keep yourself busy and not think of it. I know it is easier said than done but it can be done!

I am actually going through sound therapy right now and I am not experiencing any noticable improvements. Has anyone gone through it and saw improvments? Let me know!

There is no research to back up this claim on sound therapy improving tinnitus. However, there is not any solid research that can improve tinnitus.

However, it is definately safe to say that it can have some theraputic effects. It can be relaxing and take away stress.

I am just wondering when people start to realize they are losing their hearing? What was the first thing people noticed?

I noticed me hearing loss when I was constantly getting throat infections. They finally sent me to a ear, nose, and throat doctors after several tests were done and they advised me to get a hearing aid. Didn't see that one coming! I did realize that it was harder for me to unnderstand certain voices on people. I guess I was in denial because I'd always blame it on other people for not speaking clearly, yet it was me from the beginning.

I've heard that acupuncture could improve hearing. Is this true? Anyone know?

There is no solid research that acupuncture improves hearing. Physiologically, it makes sense that it could. Acupuncture can stimulate blood flow which could temporarily cause you to hear better but by no means is this permanant. There still is no cure for hearing loss; however, the closest thing to it is a cochlear implant. Unfortunately, there are some circumstances to this implant to be even considered to get one.

A child, who can't hear effectively or with chronic ear problems, may overlook large amounts of information and misinterpret instructions. Since only a few students have the confidence to ceaselessly ask their instructor to repeat directions, hearing-impaired students can fall behind. That's the reason why it's important to be cognizant to the possibility that the child has a hearing loss problem.