Hearing Loss Does Not Discriminate

The inability to hear speech and other sounds can occur in any individual, regardless of race, gender or age. In the United States alone, an estimated 28 million people have some form of hearing impairment, and more than a million school-aged children have a hearing loss that can significantly impact speech/language development and education. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, mild or profound. Fortunately, in most cases, something can be done to improve the hearing impaired person's ability to communicate. For many, the purchase of a hearing aid is the first step in rehabilitating their hearing and reconnecting with the world around them.

Warning Signs of Hearing Loss

• Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise
• Frequently asking people to repeat what they have said
• Misunderstanding what someone has said
• Difficulty hearing on the telephone
• Requiring the TV or radio volume to be louder than preferred by others in the room
• Feeling that people are mumbling when they are talking
• Difficulty hearing certain sounds or pitches
• Agreeing or nodding your head during conversations when you are uncertain of what has been said
• Removing yourself from conversations because it is too difficult and taxing to hear
• Reading people's lips in order to follow what they are saying
• Straining to hear or keep up with a conversation