Don’t Suffer in Silence with Hearing Loss over 50 | Sonify Hearing Aids

It happens to many of us as we get older. We start turning up the volume on the television or the computer. Or we ask someone to repeat what they said.  I hope you’re not suffering in silence with a hearing loss over 50. 

This post is sponsored by Sonify Hearing Aids, however, all opinions are my own.

Did you know that one in 5 people in their 50s have trouble hearing sounds below a quiet whisper?

What is Age-Related Hearing Loss?

After hypertension and arthritis, it is the most common chronic health problem in older persons. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is the loss of hearing that gradually occurs in most of us as we grow older.

Age-related hearing loss most often occurs in both ears, affecting them equally. Because the loss is gradual, if you have age-related hearing loss you may not realize that you’ve lost some of your ability to hear.

Having trouble hearing can make it hard to understand and follow a doctor’s advice, respond to warnings, and hear phones, doorbells, and smoke alarms. Hearing loss can also make it hard to enjoy talking with family and friends, leading to feelings of isolation and depression.

Most older people who experience hearing loss have a combination of both age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss.

Why Does it Happen?

Noise Exposure

Prolonged exposure to excessive noise at work, home, or during leisure activities can cause this type of hearing loss.

Genetics

It turns out that, yes, hearing loss—including age-related hearing loss—is influenced by your genes. In other words, you can inherit an increased risk of hearing loss as you get older.

Medical History

Certain medical conditions affect the blood supply to the middle ear, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other circulatory problems.  Also, some medications can cause hearing loss and tinnitus, known as ototoxicity. For example, toxic side effects of certain medications, such as aspirin and antibiotics, can negatively affect your hearing. Compared to younger adults, older adults are more likely to take medication and experience side effects.

Can Anything be Done to Prevent Age-related Hearing Loss?

  • Avoiding constant or continuous exposure to loud noises like leaf blowers or attending rock concerts ( don’t you miss them already?) can help protect your hearing and prevent gradual hearing loss. It is not a reversible condition so prevention is important.
  • Don’t smoke. Period.
  • Get timely care for health problems such as ear infections.
  • Wear earplugs or special fluid-filled ear muffs (to prevent more damage to hearing)
  • Try eating a healthier diet full of vitamins A, C, E, B-9, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Omega 3 fatty Acids, and Potassium.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can facilitate hearing health.

How can I tell if I have a hearing problem?

Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer “yes” to three or more of these questions, you could have a hearing problem and may need to have your hearing checked. There are several types of professionals who can help you. You might want to start with your primary care physician, an otolaryngologist, an audiologist, or a hearing aid specialist. Each has a different type of training and expertise. Each can be an important part of your hearing health care.

Do you sometimes feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear?

  

Do you feel frustrated when talking to members of your family because you have difficulty hearing them?

  

Do you have difficulty hearing or understanding co-workers, clients, or customers?

  

Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem?

  

Do you have difficulty hearing when visiting friends, relatives, or neighbors?

  

Do you have trouble hearing in the movies or in the theater?

  

Does a hearing problem cause you to argue with family members?

  

Do you have trouble hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others?

  

Do you feel that any difficulty with your hearing limits your personal or social life?

  

Do you have trouble hearing family or friends when you are together in a restaurant?

  

Adapted from: Newman, C.W., Weinstein, B.E., Jacobson, G.P., & Hug, G.A. (1990). The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults [HHIA]: Psychometric adequacy and audiometric correlates. Ear Hear, 11, 430-433.

Sonify Hearing Aids

Sonify is proudly based in Minnesota (where I am from) and firmly believes making a premium hearing aid affordable does not mean you have to sacrifice performance or quality. With Sonify hearing aids, you receive the same innovation, advanced engineering, and precision manufacturing found in hearing aids costing thousands of dollars more!

Sonify hearing aids are designed for all-day comfort and engineered for premium sound quality in nearly any environment. Sonify’s fully digital hearing aids deliver an affordable, elite hearing experience for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Mach I (1 Pair)

  • Almost invisible on the ear
  • State-of-the-Art signal processing
  • Active Noise Reduction for better hearing in noise
  • So comfortable, you may forget you are wearing them
  • 100% Money back guarantee to help mild to moderate hearing losses
  • 3-Year phone support service model with a professional team located in the U.S.A.

Hearing loss can be treated, but hearing cannot be restored. In most cases, hearing loss is treated with the use of hearing aids like the ones featured today from Sonify.

Today’s hearing aids are nearly invisible; if you’ve tried them and they no longer work for you, talk with your physician about a cochlear implant, which can restore hearing.

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

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3 Comments

  1. This was an interesting post Robin. My mom needs to get hearing aids, she has what they called, Asymmetrical hearing loss. I think companies have come a long way in making them smaller and not the obtrusive hearing aids of the past. I will pass this info on!
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    1. HelloIm50ish says:

      Jess,
      I was surprised at how many of us will have some type of hearing loss as we get older.
      I am glad that you will be sharing this information with your mom!

      Hugs,
      Robin