Is Your Hearing Disappearing?

March 2008

by Dave Harney

Can you hear me now? Surprisingly, maybe not, or at least not as well as you used to.  For reasons such as our hectic lifestyles, "youthful indiscretions," and an industrialized nation, our hearing may start to decline at a younger age than naturally expected. According to John McNamara, Au.D., audiologist at Brighton’s Ontario Hearing, studies have shown that typical everyday activities can create long-term permanent hearing problems.  For example, people who live in societies using primitive tools (i.e., not power tools) show fewer changes in hearing, even at an advanced age, compared to those in industrialized nations.

Further proof:  Several recent surveys confirm the prevalence of hearing loss among Baby Boomers.  They estimate that one in six members (almost 15%) of “the me generation,” between the ages of 41-59  have some degree of hearing impairment impacting their lives at work and home.
 
Andrea Segmond, Au.D., says hearing is a continuum of processes.  First, sound is sent from the ear canal to the eardrum, and then to the cochlea in the inner ear where electrical signals are routed to the brain.  The second process, controlled by the central auditory system, interprets the sounds that it receives and makes sense of our auditory world.  Difficulties can occur in receiving the sound, processing the sound, filtering competing auditory signals, or a combination of all.  However, Andrea says, evolving technology is doing an exceptional job at providing improvements aimed at resolving some of the complexities inherent in hearing problems.

Making things worse, hearing loss by boomers may have been initiated at a young age. Many patients seen at Ontario Hearing were teenagers in the 1960s and, of those, many have had considerable noise exposure from the military and rock and roll.  Most didn’t use hearing protection during those turbulent years. And the key is protection.  “Today we know so much more,” says audiologist Christopher Cisterna.  “It’s crucial for people to protect their hearing whenever practical.  A person involved in any loud activity, such as working with power tools, musical performances, or even being present on a factory floor, should consider using hearing protectors.”  These devices range from simple inexpensive foam plugs available at pharmacies to customized earplugs available from hearing healthcare providers.

Evaluation is vital.  Dr. McNamara recommends that people undergo an initial hearing test in their mid-40s to be used as a baseline.  If a hearing loss is present, early treatment is strongly recommended.  And treatment options are good. Testing, diagnosis, and therapy have all benefited from major technological advancements.  A good audiologist will spend a great deal of time on these elements and will also work with the client and the family to help with the psychological adjustments of living with someone who is hearing impaired.

The bottom line: If you’re a baby boomer, there’s a good chance you developed some degree of hearing loss attending those Pink Floyd concerts back in the day. And with the daily buzz, grind, and boom of our lives, it could get worse.  If in doubt, get tested today.

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