| Hearing loss is very common and affects 30-40% | | | | two or more people talk at once? |
| of those between the age of 40 and 60 and | | | | Do I have to strain to understand a conversation? |
| more than 50% of those 60 years and older. | | | | Do many people I talk to seem to mumble? |
| Unless the hearing loss is a result of injury or | | | | Do I misunderstand what others are saying and |
| trauma it tends to creep in slowly and steadily | | | | respond inappropriately? |
| over time until our parent finds it difficult to follow | | | | Do I often ask people to repeat themselves? |
| a conversation or hear the television without | | | | Do I have trouble understanding the speech of |
| turning the volume higher and higher - all the while | | | | women or children? |
| the loss goes unnoticed because it was not | | | | Do people complain that I turn the TV volume up |
| immediate or sudden. | | | | too high? |
| Your parent's hearing loss may be the result of | | | | Do I hear a ringing or roaring sound a lot? |
| many factors including: heredity, exposure to loud | | | | Do some sounds seem too loud? |
| noise, cerumen impaction (wax build-up), virus or | | | | Perhaps the most difficult task you will face as an |
| bacteria, heart conditions or stroke to name a | | | | adult child in this instance is encouraging your |
| few. Most, if not all hearing impairment is very | | | | parent to answer the questions truthfully but also |
| treatable - some may improve dramatically with a | | | | allowing them to speak freely about any fears or |
| simple ear flushing. | | | | concerns they may have related to potential |
| You may find it helpful to ask these questions | | | | hearing loss. They may be afraid that hearing loss |
| published by the National Institute on Deafness | | | | is a debilitating illness from which there is no hope |
| and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and | | | | of recovery. Reassure your parent of the many |
| the results will help determine if they have a | | | | treatment options and encourage them to |
| hearing problem and should seek a doctor's | | | | contact their doctor for further evaluation or allow |
| opinion. Generally, answering "yes" to three or | | | | you to make the call. |
| more questions indicates diminished hearing. | | | | We owe it to our parents to do whatever we |
| Do I have a problem hearing on the telephone? | | | | can to make their quality of life the absolute best |
| Do I have trouble hearing when there is noise in | | | | possible and having their hearing tested is a |
| the background? | | | | painless first step toward regaining their hearing |
| Is it hard for me to follow a conversation when | | | | and promoting their independence. |