By Beverly Bartlett, Building Kentucky
People sometimes treat hearing loss as an almost comical symptom of old age – but the condition is no joke for the 70,000 Kentuckians (of all ages) who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Loss of hearing can affect your career, your personal relationships, and even your mental health.
That’s why the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) is encouraging people to have their hearing evaluated.
“Thousands of Kentuckians are affected by hearing loss and many of them are not diagnosed, because it often happens over time and they don’t realize it,” said Gov. Andy Beshear.
Questions To Ask Yourself About Hearing Loss
The commission recommends that you go through the following questions and answer them honestly.
If you answer yes, to even of these questions, you should be evaluated for hearing loss.
- Do you have dizziness, pain, or ringing in your ears?
- Do people around you often seem to mumble?
- Do you often need to ask people to repeat themselves?
- Do others complain about you turning up the TV volume too high?
- Do you have trouble following a conversation when more than one person is talking?
- Do you have trouble hearing on the phone?
- Do you have to listen carefully or put in extra effort to understand the conversation?
- Do you have trouble hearing in noisy environments, such as restaurants?
“We know that many adults wait years or even decades before getting help for their hearing loss, believing that they are getting by just fine,” said Virginia Moore, KCDHH executive director. “However, many aren’t doing as well as they think they are, and we want people to not just get by, but to thrive in their work and lives.”
Your doctor or a licensed audiologist can assess your hearing loss, and develop a plan to reduce further loss, as well as to treat your loss. For more information, visit the KCDHH website at kcdhh.ky.gov. KCDHH is in the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
