May is reserved as Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is “Communities of Strength,” and according to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) it will focus on the power of connection and engagement in building strong communities. Meaningful connections and healthy relationships with family, friends, coworkers and community are detrimental to both physical and mental health. In order to create and maintain these relationships, you first have to nurture and take care of yourself. This Older Americans Month, take charge of your hearing health by learning about age-related hearing loss and how it can affect you and your loved ones.
Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is a type of hearing loss in which hearing ability gradually decreases with aging. It usually effects both ears and can start as early as a person’s thirties. This type of hearing loss usually begins as difficulty hearing sounds that are high frequency such as a baby crying, birds chirping, whistles and speaking voices.
It’s important to understand that presbycusis may not be initially apparent to the hearer. However, if you find yourself or loved one doing the following, it, it may be time to see an audiologist:
- Reading someone’s lips rather than making eye contact while they are speaking
- Constantly asking people to repeat themselves
- Leaning in the direction of the person speaking
Because age-related hearing loss is not curable and does worsen over time, it’s important to get proper treatment as early as possible. The best and most convenient treatment for this type of hearing loss and many others is hearing aids. Today’s hearing aids not only amplify sounds, but also provide clarity of sounds, improve speech understanding, and filter out distracting background noises. The type of hearing aid needed is based on the individual’s hearing loss type and degree and lifestyle.
This Older Americans Month, contact the experts at New Generation Hearing Centers to learn more about age-related hearing loss and hearing aids.
