A Veterans Guide to Hearing Loss

by | Jun 5, 2019 | Patient Resources

WWII veteran with children. Grandchildren looking at grandfather's military awards. | Celestial Hearing

Are you a veteran struggling with hearing loss? You may have been exposed to loud noise such as artillery, small arms fire, engines, explosions, or other machinery while you were serving. If you’re in the armed forces, protecting your hearing is often not your priority, which can lead to hearing problems being neglected later in life. In most cases, even the average person will ignore hearing problems for up to ten years after experiencing their first symptom. This Men’s Health Month, Celestial Hearing Solutions encourages male veterans to take a closer look at their hearing health.

 

Detecting Hearing Loss

In addition to being exposed to loud noises during combat, hearing loss is often age-related. Over 55 percent of people over the age of 60 suffer from some degree of hearing loss, with the risk increasing in people aged 70 and over. Common signs that you may be developing this condition include:

  • Listening to the radio or television at a high volume
  • Struggling to hear someone over the telephone
  • Needing to have words repeated to you
  • Problems hearing other people as they are speaking
  • Struggling to have conversations in loud places

 

Many men, especially veterans, have trouble admitting when they need help regarding their hearing. However, taking steps to find treatment as early as possible is the best way to protect your hearing health in the future. After the great duty of serving our country, serving for yourself by taking care of your ears will be a cinch.

 

Getting Help

The first step you should take in getting your hearing health under control is scheduling a hearing test. These tests are quick, painless, and can detect problems with your ears that can’t be immediately identified. A hearing specialist will be able to show you the results on a chart called an audiogram. They will be able to recommend the best strategy for going forward with your hearing health.

 

Tips For Taking Care

It’s good to remember that hearing loss is the most common for people over 70, and you will probably experience it to some degree. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help when you need it. The next time you’re speaking with someone, ask them to write things down or to face you directly when speaking. If you experience difficulty understanding someone, urge them to use plain language, or say something in a different way. If you need to have a conversation in public, try moving to a place with reduced background noise.

Living with hearing loss does not have to be a struggle.

Celestial Hearing Solutions provides the best and friendliest hearing care in the Las Cruces area. Contact us to learn more about how you can take care of hearing loss, or schedule a hearing test with Paula & Regina.