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Hearing devices better, more sophisticated
By Rita Baum
"What did you say? Don't mumble!"
Throughout the centuries, people have struggled with the problems associated with hearing loss. Eighteenth-century composer Ludwig van Beethoven wrote that he saw no way out of the despair caused by his increasing hearing loss, which eventually ended his career and may have contributed to his untimely death at age 57.
Many older Americans retreat deeper and deeper into a world of silence as a consequence of untreated hearing loss. Until this decade, they have had limited options for correcting the problem. But in the last eight or 10 years, sophisticated sound technology has enabled a finer degree of amplification in hearing devices. As hearing aids become smaller and more sophisticated, more people are adopting the devices.
That's good news for millions of Americans. About one-third of Americans age 65 to 74 and one half of those over 85 have some degree of hearing loss, especially in the higher frequencies.
Three out of five hearing-impaired people do not seek help for hearing loss or wear their hearing aides. Denial is common among those who refuse to admit hearing difficulties. Vanity, discomfort, expense, refusal to concede to advancing years and the stigma of wearing a hearing aid are also obstacles. However, many studies have demonstrated that untreated hearing loss can have negative social, emotional and practical consequences, and can adversely affect quality of life.
Close and casual relationships, the enjoyment of music and other entertainment, and social participation all suffer because of the inability to hear or respond to sound. Depression, suspicion, and personality changes can occur. Family and friends often report, "I just get tired of shouting."
Experts recommend that individuals who experience hearing loss seek help immediately. Hearing-impaired people who go for a long time without assistance have a more difficult time adjusting when they are finally fitted with a hearing aid. As a person becomes accustomed to silence, a low threshold for noise can develop. Hard-of-hearing individuals often are unable to judge how loudly they are speaking, embarrassing family or friends at quiet gatherings. Speech may become slurred when people can no longer hear their own voices clearly. Most importantly, safety can be jeopardized if an individual is unable to respond promptly and appropriately to dangerous situations.
The good news is, in Silicon Valley and throughout the world, communication technology is continually being developed and refined to meet the demands of almost every discipline, including the science of hearing. The newest technology middle-ear surgical implant. More than 300 people worldwide have the device, which has recently been approved for investigative use by the FDA.
Called the Vibrant Soundbridge (http://www.symphonix.com), this new technology was invented in Silicon Valley by a Los Gatos resident, Geoffrey Ball, founder of Symphonix Devices Inc. and himself an implant recipient. It consists of two parts, a surgically implanted internal vibrating component and a small externally worn audio processor, which is concealed behind the ear.
Ten clinical sites in the United States are testing the middle-ear implant. One of them is the Hearing Institute for Children and Adults in Los Gatos, where nine patients have received implants. According to Symphonix spokesperson Michael Schafer, users have reported improved quality, greater comfort and reduced acoustic feedback, compared with conventional hearing aids. The middle-ear implant prosthesis could well experience its first nationwide use by adults with sensorial hearing loss in the coming years.
A device intended for individuals who have severe to profound hearing loss is the cochlear implant. Jerod Goldstein, Ph.D., of the Hearing Institute reports that three patients have received cochlear implants, with favorable results.
Hearing aids generally cost between $500 and $3,000 each. Hearing implants are now available only for clinical testing, so the ultimate cost of these devices is not yet known. MediCal pays for hearing aids for eligible members, but Medicare does not. The Ear of the Lion, a Lions Club project, and other organizations provide grants to rebuild and recondition used hearing aids for redistribution to low income people. Call 800.327.8077 to donate a hearing aid or find out about availability.
If you suspect a hearing deficit, start by seeing your regular physician to check for cause. He or she might refer you to an otolaryngologist, a physician who specializes in problems and diseases of the ear, nose and throat. You might also be referred to an audiologist, who specializes in the evaluation of hearing loss, as well as rehabilitation, training, dispensing and maintenance of hearing aids. Or you may purchase one from an independent hearing-aid retailer.
The FDA regulates hearing aids. Be a wise shopper and consumer. You are purchasing a medical product and a service. Shop for a warranty of one year or more. A good practitioner will continue to assist you until you have a product that you understand and can use effectively.
If the technological advances we take for granted had been available in Beethoven's day, the world could have enjoyed more of his great music.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
