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.
It is not always easy to notice signs of hearing loss. As the changes can be very gradual at times, the person who is experiencing them may not even notice. Oftentimes it is easier for those around them to recognize some of the signs.
Changes in behavior are the most easily recognized signs. One example is when one begins to attend fewer social events. It may be that difficulty with hearing is causing it to be difficult to be at such gatherings and they would rather avoid being in an uncomfortable situation. Another classic sign is when the person has the volume on the radio or TV noticeably louder than they previously would have. This is an example of something that might be occur slowly over time and be hard to notice. Complaints by others of the person not listening to what they are saying is a common sign as well.
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.
Different methods are available for assessing the problems. With an audiometer test, the patient is in a soundproof booth and wears headphones that are connected to the audiometer itself. Tones of different frequencies and volumes are produced and the patient must signal when and where they hear the tones. The audiologist plots the results on an audiogram, a chart which will show the volumes and frequencies at which the difficulties are most pronounced.
A tuning fork is often used to help determine the type of loss. It is placed on the center of the forehead and the patient then tells whether the sound is the same in both ears or if they can hear it better in one ear than in the other.
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.
Once the hearing evaluation is complete, the appropriate course of action can be determined based on the findings of the exam. Thus the testing and assessment is the first, essential step in determining what the problem is and how it can be corrected so that the person with the hearing loss can lead a normal life.
It is not always easy to notice signs of hearing loss. As the changes can be very gradual at times, the person who is experiencing them may not even notice. Oftentimes it is easier for those around them to recognize some of the signs.
Changes in behavior are the most easily recognized signs. One example is when one begins to attend fewer social events. It may be that difficulty with hearing is causing it to be difficult to be at such gatherings and they would rather avoid being in an uncomfortable situation. Another classic sign is when the person has the volume on the radio or TV noticeably louder than they previously would have. This is an example of something that might be occur slowly over time and be hard to notice. Complaints by others of the person not listening to what they are saying is a common sign as well.
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.
Different methods are available for assessing the problems. With an audiometer test, the patient is in a soundproof booth and wears headphones that are connected to the audiometer itself. Tones of different frequencies and volumes are produced and the patient must signal when and where they hear the tones. The audiologist plots the results on an audiogram, a chart which will show the volumes and frequencies at which the difficulties are most pronounced.
A tuning fork is often used to help determine the type of loss. It is placed on the center of the forehead and the patient then tells whether the sound is the same in both ears or if they can hear it better in one ear than in the other.
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.
Once the hearing evaluation is complete, the appropriate course of action can be determined based on the findings of the exam. Thus the testing and assessment is the first, essential step in determining what the problem is and how it can be corrected so that the person with the hearing loss can lead a normal life.
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