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IS HEARING LOSS A PROBLEM FOR YOU?

by

Dee Taylor

November 3, 2004

Dr. Michael Glasscock, President of the EAR Foundation and Carsten Trads, President of Clarity - two people who can speak to this in depth today have just completed some strong research that loud noises, such as rock music, can indeed hurt your hearing. This study showed approximately 38 million Baby Boomers are experiencing some degree of hearing loss. Baby Boomers were the 1st generation of Rock-n-Roll, as you well know. So, even if you aren't a Baby boomer, but have found hearing loss is a problem for you, please read on.

The study indicated that there is a wider spread hearing loss among the aging Baby Boomers then anyone previously estimated, especially those between 40-59 years of age.

The new study took a look at the occurrence, cause and impact of hearing loss on those Baby Boomers born between 1945 and 1964. Not only did the study find that half of those surveyed said they had difficulty hearing at times, it also revealed that most people experiencing hearing loss are not seeking help to remedy their hearing issues. Kind of like, if I don't acknowledge I can't hear, it might go away! Only one of every three (34%) of those surveyed had even gotten their hearing tested.

Interesting enough, the study also revealed the majority of Baby boomers who reported hearing loss blamed it on exposure to noise pollution either on the job or during recreational activities. Noise pollution is the exposure to loud noise, such as construction equipment, rock concerts, jet planes, automobile engines or even lawn equipment.

Outside of noise pollution, the next most common cause reported was aging (37%). Only 18 percent said their hearing loss was due to a medical condition.

Hearing loss can cause obstacles in a person's life - at home, in the workplace or in social situations. Almost half (46%) of the individuals who reported having some difficulty hearing said they were most affected by the loss at home. Further, 44 percent said that hearing loss caused problems for them in social situations. Communications with others is also significantly impacted whether on the phone or face-to-face. 24 percent said their hearing made them feel misunderstood, and 9 percent said they felt isolated. "These results confirm that hearing loss is impacting people's lives, and it should no longer be ignored," according to Glasscock.

"More importantly, this study further indicated that Baby Boomers are losing their hearing at a more rapid pace than past generations," said Dr. Michael Glasscock, Founder of The EAR Foundation. "Whether because of apprehension or denial, Boomers are not seeking the help they need to alleviate the affects of hearing loss. Hearing loss is a serious yet often overlooked issue in a person's health issues, and this study brings it into the national spotlight so we can help this generation take the next steps on the road to better hearing."

Aging or not, if you are experiencing hearing loss, take advantage of the audiology testing and the wealth of products for better hearing that are available today. I want to urge anyone who may be experiencing hearing loss to contact an audiologist and seek information about the many convenient and economical devices - from hearing aids to amplified telephones to listening technology that can assist your hearing loss- on the market today. One of the places you can get free hearing devices and other technology, if you are qualified as hearing impaired is Deaf Faction Center of Texas. Their phone number is 214-521-0407. There is no need for anyone to suffer in silence. Your hearing can be helped, but you must take action yourself.

Dee Taylor is the Executive Producer, writer and host for Sizzlin' Seniors Television, seen at 12 noon and 7PM daily on Time Warner Cable, Channel 14. Check out Dee's Website: www.sizzlinsen.org or:

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Last Updated on November 4, 2004

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