The Quiet Disability

Hearing loss is an unseen disability. Many people who suffer with it are not immediately recognized as disabled. Depending on the amount of hearing loss, a person may struggle on a daily basis. Walking down a street with heavy traffic may be a nightmare for a person who cannot hear. The sound of a horn or screeching brakes may not reach them. They must compensate by using visual cues to survive in this situation. Unfortunately, while sounds can reach ears from all around a person, sight is limited. It covers less than half the environment around a person.

Hearing problems often affect people who work in occupations where noise is constantly a factor. At first, a person may ignore their hearing loss. Losing the ability to hear can sneak up on a person. It goes by small increments and people adjust. Not being able to hear the television without turning up the sound is a good indicator of hearing loss. Many times this is passed off as the sound system going bad or other household noises interfering with hearing.

It is always best to see a doctor as soon as hearing loss is suspected. When a person keeps turning up the television sound, this is a good time to schedule an appointment. Not all hearing loss is slated to become chronic, and it may be easily corrected. A person who is just beginning to lose their hearing may only need ear wax removal. If there is damage to the ear, the doctor will have to run tests to find out if the loss is permanent or temporary. People with temporary hearing loss are fortunate, and they will eventually recover. Patients with progressive hearing loss may not be so lucky.

Hearing loss has become a large problem in modern society. There is more noise than ever before in crowded cities and towns. Digital hearing aids have been created to assist with this disability. They use computer software to sort background noise from conversation. While they will not cure a progressive hearing problem, they do make it easier to live with over time.