Hearing Loss
Hearing loss may affect anyone at any age. Typically, as we grow older many changes are evident. The most common of these changes are the decreased ability to hear and understand speech.
I am sure most you have encountered a relative or friend with a suspected hearing loss. Some of the symptoms you may have noticed include, but are not limited to:
- Requiring the television volume control to be placed at a higher than normal level
- Inability to understand speech unless they can see your face
- Asking for repetition
- Mistaking some words for others
- Inappropriate responses to your questions or comments
- Inability to understand speech from around the corner or another room
- Asking you to speak louder
When a person has untreated hearing loss, there may be changes in his/her social behavior. In addition, a number of psychological effects may present. Typically, not all of them will occur and some will be more evident than others.
In the realm of social effects: a person withdraws from his or her surroundings. There may be ‘personality’ changes, conversations become shorter, less frequent, less spontaneous and less personal. They become less attentive and/or avoid social gatherings and noisy surroundings, and they reduce social contact with less activity.
Psychologically, a person with hearing loss may experience: shame, guilt, anger, embarrassment, lack of concentration, sadness or depression, worry and frustration, anxiety, insecurity, and low self-confidence. Untreated hearing loss can also make the person irritable and less tolerant towards other people. Some may even become paranoid.
For more than ten years, research at Johns Hopkins University has documented that people with even mild untreated hearing loss is associated with dementia.
The first step to find out about your hearing is to schedule a complete audiological evaluation with a private practice audiologist, not a sales person at a retail outlet. An audiologist is a board certified and licensed professional with a doctorate in audiology who is able to evaluate, diagnose, make recommendations, and treat hearing loss.
If you feel you may be suffering the early stages of hearing loss contact Dr. Patrick M. Murphy at 215-230-9000 for an appointment or visit www.murphyhearingservices.com.