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1. 10 Things Your Mother Didn’t Tell You About Hearing Loss Kendra K. Watts, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
SIU School of Medicine
Center for Hearing & Balance
2. Most hearing loss is NOT due to nerve deafness.
3. The Human Ear The ear is a complex organ made of four parts:
the outer ear
the middle ear
the inner ear
the hearing nerve
Hearing loss can occur from damage or an obstruction in any of these parts.
4. Types of Hearing Loss Conductive
Sensorineural
Mixed
5. Types of Hearing Loss Conductive Hearing Loss…
Outer ear
Excessive earwax
Infection
Middle ear
Perforation of the eardrum
Infection or fluid
Otosclerosis
Cholesteatoma
6. 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”
7. 2. Hearing loss of all degrees will affect communication.
8. The Audiogram
9. Degree of Hearing Loss
10. 3. Hearing loss affects people of all ages.
11. 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.
12. 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
13. 4. Don’t Wait - Hearing is important to our quality of life.
14. 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.
15. 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
16. 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.
17. 5. You need to hear well with both ears.
18. Benefits of Binaural Hearing Sound Localization
Understanding Speech in Noisy Environments
Hearing with Less Volume
Hearing Equally from Both Sides
19. 6. Hearing aids DO work.
20. 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
21. 7. Hearing aids are affordable.
22. 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.
23. 8. The benefits of better hearing are priceless.
24. Greater Earning Power
Return to work or volunteer
Improved Relationships
Reduced Effort of Communication
Less Anger and Frustration
Reduced Depression
Increased Self-Esteem
Greater Social Involvement
Improved Health Status
Control of Your Life
25. 9. Audiologists are hearing health care professionals and are licensed to dispense hearing aids.
26. 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
27. 10. You can be successful with hearing aids.
28. Work with an audiologist to chose devices that are appropriate for you.
Develop a working relationship with your audiologist.
Express your concerns and listen to their recommendations.
Stay positive and motivated.
Work to understand the impact that your hearing loss is having on your life.
29. 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.
30. 10 Things Your Mother Didn’t Tell You About Hearing Loss Most hearing loss is NOT due to nerve deafness.
Hearing loss of all degrees will affect communication.
Hearing loss affects people of all ages.
Don’t wait! - Hearing is important to our quality of life.
You need to hear well with both ears.
Hearing aids do work.
Hearing aids are affordable.
The benefits of better hearing are priceless.
Audiologists are hearing health care professionals and are licensed to dispense hearing aids.
You can be successful with hearing aids.
31. References www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noise.asp
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www.cbrown.org/prevention.html
www.cochlear.com
www.phonak.com
www.oticon.com
32. SIU Center for Hearing & Balance St John’s Pavilion 5th Floor
301 N 8th Street
Appointments: 217-545-6099
Email: kwatts@siumed.edu