50+ Lifestyles

Life Hacks to Better Living: Addressing Hearing Loss

Dr. Molly Parker
Audiologist and Owner
Parker Audiology, P.C.

Untreated hearing loss is connected to feelings of isolation, depression, and loss of income.

The average person waits seven years to address their hearing loss. Here’s some perspective: seven years ago Barack Obama was inaugurated, Guiding Light ended and Michael Jackson died. Seven years means that you have already missed out on a lot of important events.

Nearly 40 million people in the United States have hearing loss, and this number is increasing. Hearing loss is occurring to younger people in their 20’s and 30’s. Hearing loss has been shown to positively correlate with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Untreated hearing loss is connected to feelings of isolation, depression, and loss of income (up to $30,000 annually).

What can you do to help yourself get ahead?

Talk to your doctor. Changes with the Affordable Care Act has encouraged preventative care to become a priority.  Your doctor can recommend a reputable audiologist to have your hearing tested.

Get your hearing tested. Hearing tests are easy! Parker Audiology, P.C. provides thorough hearing evaluations, and we work as a team with your physician. People over the age of 50 years should have their hearing tested as a baseline.

It is ok to just get information. Bringing a friend or family member will help absorb the information and add perspective to your visit. Most people do not know much about hearing loss and hearing aids.
Hearing technology is seamless and cool! Depending on where you go, some hearing aids can be programmed via phone, be invisible, record your conversations, and help you overcome noisy situations. Treating hearing loss has been shown to delay cognitive decline, decrease brain atrophy, decrease falls, decrease depression and isolation.

Your “new normal” is improved when you use hearing technology. It takes time to allow your brain to acclimate to new experiences. Talking with others about your before and after experiences will be helpful in transitioning to better hearing.

Dr. Alison Soto Audiologist Parker Audiology, P.C.

Join us at CASI on August 23rd at 10:30 a.m. to see and experience firsthand some of this amazing new technology and have your questions answered. Each presentation we do is different and entertaining. Dr. Soto will be discussing new technology.  Bring a friend and RSVP to (563) 326-5441 by August 22nd.

1. Amlani A, Taylor B. Three known factors that impede hearing aid adoption rates. Hearing Review. 2012;19(5):28-37. Available at:http://www.hearingreview.com/2012/05/three-known-factors-that-impede-hearing-aid-adoption-rates
2. Kochkin S, Beck DL. 35 million people in the USA with hearing loss. Presentation at: Galloway, NJ; spring 2013
3. Pleis JR, Lethbridge-Cejku M.  Summary health statistics for US adults: Natioal Health Interview Survey, 2006. Vital Health Stat 10. 2007; (235):1-153.
4.Lin FR, et al. Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2013;173(4):293–299.
5. Kochkin, S. & Rogin, C. Quantifying the Obvious: The Impact of Hearing Aids on Quality of Life, The Hearing Review, Vol 7(1) January 2000, pp. 8-34. Download: http://www.betterhearing.org/pdfs/ MR40.pdf
6. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology (2012;121[12]:771)

Parker Audiology enjoys helping people through their listening experiences and better communication strategies. Call to schedule your visit today! (563) 326-5441.