BABY BOOMERS

Are you a member of the Baby Boomer generation? If so, you are part of the first generation to experience hearing problems before the age of 60. Statistics show that hearing problems have gone up 26 percent in the 46 to 64 age range since the 1970s. While loss of hearing was once considered an embarrassing sign of aging, today it is a common symptom of an active lifestyle led amidst increasingly loud environments and amplified entertainment. The results are that more than one in ten people suffer hearing loss in America today and many do not even recognize it or they choose to ignore it.

Ignoring hearing loss is unwise. Hearing loss impacts one's ability to communicate clearly with friends, family and co-workers, leading to relationship challenges and a lower quality of life that could include social isolation, delayed career advancement or even job loss. Health professionals know that when the brain doesn't receive complete nerve impulses from the ears, it can actually "forget" how to process sounds into meaningful language. If not corrected early, this condition may become permanent.

>> You Are Not Alone.
>> What Causes Hearing Loss?
>> What Can I Do About Hearing Loss?

You Are Not Alone

If you are experiencing a hearing problem, you are not alone. Many famous baby boomers have publicly admitted that they use hearing aids. These include:

• Former President Bill Clinton
• William Shatner (of Star Trek and Boston Legal)
• David Letterman
• Steve Martin
• Burt Reynolds
• Sting
• Eric Clapton
• Cher

So don’t feel embarrassed if you begin to notice slight hearing loss at a young age. With today’s technology you can choose a very discreet CIC (Completely-In-Canal) hearing aid or color coordinate a more visible model, making your hearing aid a fashion accessory. The choice is yours.

What Causes Hearing Loss

Studies have shown that regular and repeated noise exposure damages the hair cells of the inner ear that transmit sound vibrations. Unlike the hairs on top of your head, which regenerate, hair cells in the inner ear do not replicate themselves. It doesn’t take much exposure to loud sounds to initiate a gradual damaging of these hair cells. Because loud noise doesn't cause pain until the sound reaches high decibels, many individuals are not aware of the threat to their hearing.

For more detailed information about what causes hearing loss, click here.

What Can I Do About Hearing Loss

One of the first things to do is to take steps to reduce further damage to your ears. Buy ear protection and always wear it when you know you are going to be exposed to loud noise for an extended period. Cotton is not effective. Ear muffs can be helpful, but correctly fitted ear plugs are the most efficient to prevent damage. Be certain they completely block the ear canals, creating an airtight seal in each ear. Jones Hearing can make a mold of your ear and create custom ear protection for you while you wait, at many of our locations.

If you own a cell phone, iPod, or Walkman (anything with a headset) turn down the volume – if a person standing next to you can hear the sound, it is too loud. Don’t be shy about taking preventative measures. You can set an example for your friends and loved ones. In fact, one music reviewer started to wear ear protection at the concerts he attended. After weathering some ridicule, he discovered that his friends began to wear them also.

Finally, be honest and realistic about your hearing health. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to seek help from an audiologist or hearing professional. If a hearing aid is prescribed, learn to use it properly and wear it daily. Take steps to regain a high quality of life. Help is just a phone call away.