With the prevalence of noise in society today, the number of people with hearing loss is expected to grow faster than the senior population itself. A Canadian Hearing Society survey found that 25 percent of people with hearing loss are younger than 40 and 70 percent are younger than 60 years-old. The average age of those experiencing hearing loss was 51. The most troubling finding of the survey, though, was that 16 percent of 6 to19-year-olds have early signs of hearing loss at the range most affected by loud sounds. Heather Ferguson, president of the Hearing Foundation of Canada, said on the site that people are starting to lose their hearing 20 years earlier than in the past. “I believe we’re on the verge of noise-induced hearing loss becoming a public health crisis,” Ferguson said.

Safe Levels
When using an iPod or other personal music player, keep the volume levels reasonable. The informal rule of thumb is the 60/60 rule – volume at no more than 60 percent for more than 60 minutes at a time.

Besides keeping the volume on your personal music player at a reasonable level, there are additional steps you can take to protect your hearing. One, get your hearing checked regularly. Two, use earplugs or sound-blocking ear protectors if you are exposed to loud noises often and for prolonged periods of time. And three, if you are diagnosed with hearing loss, don’t delay and get a hearing aid right away.

How loud is the world we live in?
Listening to any sound at or above 85 decibels for a prolonged period of time can cause permanent damage to hearing. The maximum “safe” exposure time to 120 decibels is 8 seconds. Unfortunately, there are many activities in our everyday lives that exceed those noise levels, including:

60 decibels:
The average conversation.

85-90 decibels:
Standing on a downtown street corner in rush hour.

90+ decibels:
Using an electric hair dryer or pushing a gas lawnmower.

120 decibels:
iPods at peak volume.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca

Chicago Health+Wellness talked to HearingPlanet, an online resource and provider of digital hearing aids, about the effects of hearing loss, and how someone can find the right hearing aid for their lifestyle.

Q: What are some of the effects that hearing loss can have on someone’s life?
A: The effects of hearing are social, economic, and psychological. Feelings of isolation, withdrawal from social situations, and embarrassment are common effects of hearing loss due to the person’s inability to actively participate in a conversation. Frustration is felt not only by the person with the hearing loss, but by family and friends as well. Studies have also shown that people who need hearing aids but do not wear them have a lower salary range than those that do wear hearing aids.

Q: What are the steps someone should take if they are considering use of a hearing aid?
A: The first step is to have a hearing evaluation by a licensed hearing professional. If a hearing loss in diagnosed, a recommendation for a hearing aid will be made based on the person’s hearing loss, lifestyle and communication needs. Having a family member or a friend along for the visit is beneficial to complete a history on a person’s communication needs and what areas in life hearing difficulties are most present.

Q: While reviewing the many different hearing aid options, the choices seem overwhelming. What should someone look for when buying a hearing aid?
A: With so many hearing aids and options on the market today, it is easy to get confused and overwhelmed and then do nothing about the hearing loss! Finding a hearing professional that you trust and that works with more than one leading manufacturer is the most important decision. Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles but don’t skimp on features that you actually need. Important features for most lifestyles include directional microphones, multiple compression channels, multiple programs, noise reduction, and feedback cancellation.

Q: Are digital hearing aids keeping up with the active lifestyles that many people lead today? What are some of the latest technologies?
A: There have been tremendous advances in hearing aid technology compared to just a few years ago. Hearing aid features are always being upgraded and improved upon. Some of the newest features include adaptive directionality, automatic programs changes, digital feedback suppression, data logging, and remote control options. Currently, the most popular feature is wireless communication via Bluetooth for use with mobile phones, mp3 players, etc.

Q: How does someone know if they found the right hearing aid?
A: Unlike glasses, hearing aids are not a fit and go situation. Therefore there is no “best” hearing aid. The only way to truly know if someone has found the right hearing aid for their lifestyle is to test it during a trial period. This allows a person to experience their everyday listening environments with hearing aids in the “real world.” Hearing aid benefit is very subjective; therefore, face to face follow-up with the hearing professional for adjustments is a key component for success.