It's easy to take for granted the ability to hear when it's at it's full capacity. However, when there are problems with this particular sense, it can lead to major difficulties in normal daily life. Communication can become more difficult as can simply comprehending what is happening in the surroundings. Many of us typically associate such issues with those who are aging but problems of this type can occur at any age and should be addressed when they are noticed. When signs of problems are seen, it is time to have a hearing evaluation to start the process of correcting them.
The problems often develop gradually, making the signs difficult to detect for the in whom the hearing loss is occurring. It is common for the signs to be more easily noticed by others who live with or spend a lot of time with them.
Among these signs are changes in behavior such as avoiding social gatherings. If it's getting difficult to hear and thus communicate, one is likely to feel less comfortable in such situations and it is natural to try to steer clear of them. Another recognizable sign is that the volume of the TV or radio seems abnormally loud to others. The person with the problem is likely to not notice this themselves but others will pick up on it. Also, people may regularly complain that the person is not listening to them.
When signs occur and it is suspected that there is a significant issue, a visit to the doctor is in order. The physician may in turn refer the patient to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
The audiologist will have different methods of making the assessment. One is an audiometer test in which the patient sits in a soundproof room wearing special earphones. The audiometer produces tones of varying frequency and volume in the earphones for the patient to identify. The audiologist records the results on an audiogram, which will then show at which frequencies or volumes there are problems for the patient.
To help assess the type of loss being suffered, a tuning fork can be used. The fork is placed on the middle the person's forehead. With normal hearing, it should be sound the same in both ears. If it's different it will help the audiologist ascertain what is happening.
The audiologist may also perform a test to evaluate the patient's ability to hear and understand words above other noises. First the patient will need to repeat sentences that are played with no competing noise, then they will have to do the same with noise being directed at them from from varying angles and different volumes.
When the hearing evaluation has been completed, the course of treatment can be determined. Ideally the measures taken will be able to restore enough of the hearing that has been lost to allow for a normal, enjoyable life.
The problems often develop gradually, making the signs difficult to detect for the in whom the hearing loss is occurring. It is common for the signs to be more easily noticed by others who live with or spend a lot of time with them.
Among these signs are changes in behavior such as avoiding social gatherings. If it's getting difficult to hear and thus communicate, one is likely to feel less comfortable in such situations and it is natural to try to steer clear of them. Another recognizable sign is that the volume of the TV or radio seems abnormally loud to others. The person with the problem is likely to not notice this themselves but others will pick up on it. Also, people may regularly complain that the person is not listening to them.
When signs occur and it is suspected that there is a significant issue, a visit to the doctor is in order. The physician may in turn refer the patient to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
The audiologist will have different methods of making the assessment. One is an audiometer test in which the patient sits in a soundproof room wearing special earphones. The audiometer produces tones of varying frequency and volume in the earphones for the patient to identify. The audiologist records the results on an audiogram, which will then show at which frequencies or volumes there are problems for the patient.
To help assess the type of loss being suffered, a tuning fork can be used. The fork is placed on the middle the person's forehead. With normal hearing, it should be sound the same in both ears. If it's different it will help the audiologist ascertain what is happening.
The audiologist may also perform a test to evaluate the patient's ability to hear and understand words above other noises. First the patient will need to repeat sentences that are played with no competing noise, then they will have to do the same with noise being directed at them from from varying angles and different volumes.
When the hearing evaluation has been completed, the course of treatment can be determined. Ideally the measures taken will be able to restore enough of the hearing that has been lost to allow for a normal, enjoyable life.
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