Several years ago my kids started telling me: “Get a hearing test” especially when we were watching TV and I set the volume too high for them or when it was lowered by them and I started to ask them what was said.  Eventually I did. And my audiogram showed a hearing loss. When I asked my doctor, an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat), whether I should get hearing aids, her response was: “Only if you think you need them?” At the time I didn’t know that that is what doctors will say, so as not to offend you. Eventually I did get them–they are expensive.

Much too expensive. Most of the people I know can’t afford what I paid.  And that started me on a mission to find out more about hearing aids:  Why do they cost so much? Are there alternatives? What happened to my hearing? How did I lose it? Are there any other affects form hearing loss?Yes but later on that.   Is tinnitus related to hearing loss? Yes and more on that later as well.  Can hearing loss be reversed? Not at present (later on that too).

Here on this site I am making available all my research and findings.  I will blog on hearing topics from hearing aids to assistive hearing devices to the latest medical knowledge on the subject. We will also provide links to as many hearing related products the latest and greatest hearing aid and assistive hearing devices  and offer you the opportunity to rate them and let us know your experience with them.

Age related hearing loss, and that is what most of us suffer from is a relatively new phenomenon. There are some 25 million Americans who have this problem and it is estimated that in another 20 years the number will grow to more than twice that. Don’t be alarmed, in some ways this is good news. The implication is clear, as a result of taking care of ourselves, we tend to live longer. So if you are older and are still enjoying yourself be happy. But if your wife/husband, children or even friends are telling you to get your hearing checked do it—you may not think so but they are doing you a favor. Don’t ignore it, you are unlikely to be aware of your own hearing loss. Hearing loss is not ab overnight event (when it is you will know it and you should immediately see a doctor). But for the most of us, the garden variety age related hearing loss develops over many years and is therefore not noticeable. If you are finding yourself not laughing at the punch line and asking “What?” when more than a few of your friends or family are gathered together it’s time to act. Why? That will be the subject of my next blog.