10 Things Your Mother Didn’t Tell You About Hearing Loss

Kendra K. Watts, Au.D.Doctor of AudiologySIU School of MedicineCenter for Hearing & Balance

1. Most hearing loss is NOT due to nerve deafness.

The Human Ear• The ear is a complex organ made of four

parts:1. the outer ear2. the middle ear3. the inner ear4. the hearing nerve

• Hearing loss can occur from damage or an obstruction in any of these parts.

Types of Hearing Loss

•Conductive•Sensorineural•Mixed

Types of Hearing Loss

•Conductive Hearing Loss…▫Outer ear

Excessive earwax Infection

▫Middle ear Perforation of the eardrum Infection or fluid Otosclerosis Cholesteatoma

Types of Hearing Loss•Sensorineural Hearing Loss…

▫Inner ear (Cochlear) Natural aging process Excessive exposure to noise Medication that is toxic to the ear Head injuries.

▫Inner ear (Nerve) Less frequent Generally due to “auditory deprivation”

2. Hearing loss of all degrees will affect communication.

The Audiogram

Degree of Hearing Loss

•Mild hearing loss

•Unable to hear soft sounds, difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments.•Moderate

hearing loss

•Unable to hear soft and average sounds, considerable difficulty in understanding speech, especially in background noise.

•Severe hearing loss

•Speakers must raise their voice. Group conversation is possible only with considerable effort.•Profound

hearing loss

•Some very loud sounds are audible but communication without a hearing instrument is nearly impossible.

3. Hearing loss affects people of all ages.

Hearing Loss Statistics

• About 800 million people around the world are affected by hearing loss.

• 1.1 billion by 2015 – about 16% of the world’s population.

• 29 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss – that’s 1 in 10 people

• 65% of people with hearing loss experience a mild hearing loss, 30% a moderate and 5% a severe or profound hearing loss.

Hearing Loss and Aging

•Only about 1/3 of people with hearing loss are of retirement age.

•The majority is of school or working age.

•Only 35% are over the age of 65 years▫6 million people between the ages of 18-

44 have hearing loss

4. Don’t Wait - Hearing is important to our quality of life.

•1 in 5 people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one.

•On average, people with hearing loss wait almost 10 years before they do something about it.

•Auditory Deprivation occurs due to lack of stimulation to the auditory parts of the brain. ▫The result is poorer speech understanding

even with amplified sound.

•Adults whose hearing loss is not treated report:▫Sadness and depression▫Worry and anxiety▫Paranoia▫Less social activity▫Emotional turmoil and insecurity

•Adults who have treated their hearing loss reports benefits that include:▫Better relationships with their families▫Better feeling about themselves▫Improved mental health▫Greater independence and security

Kochkin, S. & Rogin, C. “Quantifying the obvious: The impact if hearing instruments on quality of life.” The Hearing Review 2000 7 (1); 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 22, 24, 26, 30-34.

5. You need to hear well with both ears.

Benefits of Binaural Hearing

•Sound Localization•Understanding Speech in Noisy Environments

•Hearing with Less Volume•Hearing Equally from Both Sides

6. Hearing aids DO work.

Don’t Judge Today’s Hearing Aids Based on your Grandma’s Experience

•Realistic Expectations•General Acceptance within Society• Improved Technology

•90-95% of people can be helped•76-87% of wearers TODAY report satisfaction

with their hearing devices•66% report improvement in their Quality of

Life•20 Yrs ago – under 35% reported satisfaction

7. Hearing aids are affordable.

Hearing Aid Price Analysis

•Live Expectancy of Hearing Aids ▫5-6 years

•A Pair of Top of the Line Instruments▫$3.00 per day over 5 years

•There are quality hearing aids available for all budgets.

8. The benefits of better hearing are priceless.

1. Greater Earning Power▫ Return to work or volunteer

2. Improved Relationships3. Reduced Effort of Communication4. Less Anger and Frustration5. Reduced Depression6. Increased Self-Esteem7. Greater Social Involvement8. Improved Health Status9. Control of Your Life

9. Audiologists are hearing health care professionals and are licensed to dispense hearing aids.

Education & Qualifications• Doctor of Audiology – Au.D.

▫ Requires 4 years of graduate school after Bachelor’s Degree▫ Requires hands on clinical training by supervising Audiologist

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and American Academy of Audiology▫ Issues Certificate of Clinical Competence▫ Provides Ethics Standards for Audiologists▫ Requires Courses in Continuing Education that are reviewed

every 3 years.• Illinois Audiology License

▫ Oversight by the Department of Professional Regulation▫ Requires Courses in Continuing Education that are reviewed

every 2 years.• Years of Experience

▫ SIU Audiologists have over 70 years of combined experience

10. You can be successful with hearing aids.

1. Work with an audiologist to chose devices that are appropriate for you.

2. Develop a working relationship with your audiologist.

3. Express your concerns and listen to their recommendations.

4. Stay positive and motivated.5. Work to understand the impact that

your hearing loss is having on your life.

6. Don’t purchase hearing devices based solely on cosmetics.

7. Have realistic expectations during your trial period.

8. Replace your hearing devices every 4-5 years.

9. Have your hearing checked regularly.10. Protect your hearing from damaging

noise.

10 Things Your Mother Didn’t Tell You About Hearing Loss

1. Most hearing loss is NOT due to nerve deafness.2. Hearing loss of all degrees will affect

communication.3. Hearing loss affects people of all ages.4. Don’t wait! - Hearing is important to our quality of

life.5. You need to hear well with both ears.6. Hearing aids do work.7. Hearing aids are affordable.8. The benefits of better hearing are priceless.9. Audiologists are hearing health care professionals

and are licensed to dispense hearing aids.10.You can be successful with hearing aids.

References• www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noise.asp• chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/hcp/images/chart01.gif• www.cbrown.org/prevention.html• www.cochlear.com• www.phonak.com• www.oticon.com

SIU Center for Hearing & Balance

St John’s Pavilion 5th Floor301 N 8th Street

Appointments: 217-545-6099Email: kwatts@siumed.edu