Hearing loss not limited to the elderly

Contrary to popular belief, hearing loss doesn't only come with age or because of the type of work people do. According to recent studies, hearing loss can be caused by frequent exposure to amplified sounds and it is affecting young people.

"Today more and more young people and many children are experiencing hearing loss," said Burt Schapiro, audioprosthologist and hearing instrument specialist for Miracle Ear Center of Yuma. "There's no doubt that we are seeing younger patients come to get their ears checked."
 
According to Schapiro, partial or total hearing loss can affect one or both ears. It can be a symptom or the result of another illness or infection, due to a hereditary factor or exposure to loud sounds.
 
"A lot of factors could be involved in hearing loss. However, I think that exposure to loud sounds has the most impact. That is why it is important to get checked early," explained Schapiro.
 
Laura Arellano, hearing instrument consultant for Miracle Ear Center of Yuma, said, "It is critical for parents to know that electronic devices such as iPods, cell phones and many other devices that amplify sounds may affect hearing in children."
 
Hearing loss can impact a child's ability to learn and speak and in adults it can lead to isolation and loneliness.
 
According to experts and four out of five parents who have children with hearing loss, it can also make children vulnerable to other problems such as their ability to interact socially, develop language ability, school grades, emotional well-being, relationship with others, self-esteem and family relationships.
 
Information provided by Miracle Ear Foundation states that there are several methods to determine hearing levels in a patient. One of them is through an impedance test, which helps to detect any changes in pressure in the middle ear. A probe is placed in the patient's ear and air pressure is increased and then decreased while a tone is presented and a graph with the results is generated indicating if there is a lesion.

Schapiro said parents can fill out an application to the Miracle Ear Foundation for free help.
 
Both specialists emphasized the importance of providing an evaluation conducted by a regular doctor or an audiologist stating there are no medical problems.
"Parents must present this document certifying that the child truly has an auditory problem," explained Arellano.
 
"With this documentation we can evaluate the child for free and we help parents complete the Miracle Ear Foundation application."
 
She added that recently they entered into an agreement with Sunset Clinic in San Luis, Ariz., where she will be providing services on Tuesdays.
 
"If we see there is a great need for these services, we will increase services to twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday," Arellano said.
 
"The use of a hearing aid is no longer something to be ashamed of," Arellano added. "There are a lot of products in the market that are very comfortable and practically invisible. The equipment we use is of good quality and our hearing aids are adjustable."
 
For more information or help, call 726-1046, or call the foundation directly at 1-800-234-5422 or visit www.miracle-ear.com.

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How to prevent hearing loss
• Use cotton swabs to clean ears, not sharp objects such as bobbypins
• In children, injuries to the head can cause perforated eardrums.
• Exposure to loud sounds for extended periods of time without adequate protection and at levels higher than 80 decibels - such as in rock concerts, clubs, factories and airports - can lead to permanent hearing damage.
• If you have an ear infection or inflamed ear, keep it dry from any entry of water.
• Check with your doctor if you have an ear infection or problems with your ears.