subject: Why Hearing Is So Important [print this page] A typical US household would not be familiar with sounds of a lawnmower, kitchen mixer or even the music from the latest metal CD. If you listen over the buzz of one family's activities, you'll hear more sound layers like a police siren in the distance, a neighbor's dog barking, or a hospital helicopter flies overhead.
In reality noise can actually affect a lot of people as this is a kind of pollution in itself. Hearing loss may be caused by exposure to many noises and statistics say that around 28 million Americans are affected by this. More than one third of those over age 75 have a hearing impairment serious enough to interfere with normal communication and social activities.
It is of course not all just due to noise pollution. Sometimes people suffer from medical problems like Advancing age, genetic factors, infections, physical trauma, drug toxicity which influence hearing loss. There is little we can do to avoid either hereditary or age related hearing loss but awareness of the potential for damage to ears and a few simple precautions can greatly improve our chances of maintaining good hearing into later life.
Hearing impairments can be seen once you get test to confirm it. Tests for hearing are now available in many doctor's clinics and hospitals.
By using a regular telephone at the comfort of your own home one can use the Dial a Hearing Screening Test to test their hearing. The Audiology and Hearing Aid Clinic at Northern Illinois Medical Center has made this screening test possible for many people to benefit from.
There are eight technically tested tones in the Dial a Hearing Screening Test. In case the caller will not be able to hear the eight tones they are then advised to go get another opinion. One must be in a quiet room using a stable telephone line when taking the screening test.
The best way to prevent hearing loss later in life is to adjust your lifestyle now to protect your hearing. Steer clear from areas that normally have loud noises especially if they are prolonged.
If your office will require you to wear safety gear for noise protection then be sure you wear then in order to protect yourself. Another reason why many people are suffering from hearing problems is that they listen to music at very high levels.
Hearing problems with kids are easy to spot as this is usually when they do not react to the noises around them. Hearing problems can also be a reason why a child is late in taking and this should be looked into.
It not unlikely that ear infections are the reason why some children have delay in their speech patterns. Your ears might suffer severe damages if ear infections are not treated right away. The market now offers more advance technologies for hearing for those who have hearing problems.
Hearing impaired people can now use hearing aids that are lighter and are able to decrease the background noise so they can hear clearer. For those with more profound hearing loss, surgical techniques such as cochlear implants offer the chance of improving hearing capabilities. To ensure yourself when you are older that no hearing problems will beset you then make sure early on you take care of your hearing.
