50+ Lifestyles

Ask the Audiologist

By Margaret Christiansen, Au.D.
Audiology Consultants, P.C.

Do I Have a Hearing Loss?

I can hear, but I can’t understand.

Everyone sounds like they are mumbling.

People talk too fast…I can’t understand what they are saying.

I can’t follow conversations when there is background noise.

Do these hearing frustrations sound familiar? These are some of the common struggles individuals with hearing loss face. Because hearing loss often comes on slowly, it can be difficult to realize that significant changes have happened over time. As hearing loss increases, it becomes more and more difficult to hear and understand those around you.  

Living with untreated hearing loss can cause communication difficulties and frustrations for the individual as well as those around them.  Studies have shown untreated hearing loss can have effects that reach far beyond just missing the punch line of a joke.  Untreated hearing loss can result in withdrawal from social situations or activities and increased feelings of anxiety, depression or isolation from others.  Recent studies have even linked untreated hearing loss to memory issues.

Because untreated hearing loss can have far-reaching effects, it is important to monitor your hearing health.   If you are experiencing hearing difficulties, or want to establish a baseline for your hearing, schedule an appointment for a hearing evaluation with an audiologist.

Margaret Christiansen is an audiologist at Audiology Consultants, P.C.  For more information consult our ad in this publication for store locations and phone numbers.