Alongside visual impairment comes hearing loss. I would like to think that it comes in package—like a bad, annoying gift you receive when you reach a certain age. Some say that it can be delayed or denied, I say, they are just plain lucky, they don’t get it earlier! I must admit, there are some aspects of aging which you can really delay. For me, as long as the problem can be solved by the eat right-exercise-healthy habits combo, then it’s all up to the owner of the body in question. However, there are age-related nuisances that really come no matter how hard we dodge them. It’s fate, no use hiding from it!
Hearing loss is far more than just hearing aids, assistive devices and support systems. Some of my senior friends who are already showing signs of gradual hearing loss can attest to this: somehow it manages to steal a piece of your identity away; a part of who you are and what you’ve become. Like our visual capabilities, we tend to take it for granted only to realize its true importance when it’s gone forever.
Hearing loss, depending on its level can be assisted—to some extent, even treatable. However, as I’ve observed, people who delay going to a specialist only aggravates their situation. A person with hearing problem but refuses to be treated—or assisted—can only worsen his situation. The problem with hearing loss is that without proper care—given that the hearing problem is already established—the problem tends to get severe at a faster rate than normal. Furthermore, people who experience hearing difficulties either deny their situation or are not bothered at all. Even statistics say that it’s really difficult to provide an exact number of sufferers as many opted not to report it at all therefore not receiving the proper care they need.
In actuality, it’s quite hard to really determine if you, indeed, have a hearing problem. Most of the time, people around you are the first ones to suspect, unfortunately, they may not talk about it openly as they wish not to offend you in anyway. Here are some signs that you might be experiencing hearing loss:
·    You cannot cope with two or more people talking at the same time. Everything seems to just blend into one unintelligible sound.
·    Demanding the person holding the TV’s remote control to turn the volume level up as you cannot hear what’s being said.
·    People throw you confused looks when you respond to a question.
·    Pesky little children suddenly making funny faces at you without you even knowing why.
·    Suddenly everyone speaks in hushed tones like they have a secret to tell.
·    Angry looks are thrown at you by passing drivers while driving on a major highway.