East Penn Hearing Center

Holiday Checklist ...

During the holidays, we often find ourselves enjoying various gatherings with family and friends. This can be an ideal time to check if a loved one has symptoms of hearing loss.

Holiday parties are often times filled with a noisy combination of music and chatter. Someone with hearing loss may strain to hear conversations taking place just a few feet away or not able to 'quite catch' what was being said to everyone in the group. Others may find they are playing interpreter for a relative by frequently repeating conversations for them. All of these scenarios are equally frustrating for the individual struggling with hearing loss. Fortunately, there is help.

The first step for everyone involved is to recognize the signs (listed below) and the second step is to do something about it. Don't just let it go. Putting off your hearing needs will only lead to more frustration as well as isolation (among other things). Doing something about it might include a complimentary consultation with a professional Audiologist or better yet, having a certified Hearing Evaluation. The results of a comprehensive evaluation will let you or your loved one know if he/she has a hearing loss. It will also guide you, your family and Audiologist on the best solution for treating your hearing loss.

Provided by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (http://identifythesigns.org), below is a short list of hearing loss signs to look for in adults. Check this list twice, especially if you or a loved are not hearing 100% of the holiday season:

• Inattentiveness
• Buzzing or ringing in their ears
• Failure to respond to spoken words
• Persistent ear discomfort after exposure to loud noise (regular and constant listening to electronics at high volumes)
• Muffled hearing
• Constant frustration hearing speech and other sounds
• Avoids conversation
• Social isolation
• Depression

Struggling to hear on the phone, asking conversations to be repeated or having the television volume up loudly are all additional indicators.

If you or a loved one has any of the above symptoms, we here at East Penn Hearing Center (located in Emmaus, PA) highly recommend making an appointment with us for a comprehensive Hearing Evaluation. There is no better time than the New Year to put you and your hearing first.

East Penn Hearing Center is a Provider with most medical insurances, including but not limited to Medicare. And yes! Medicare covers the cost of our Hearing Evaluation.

For more information about hearing loss or East Penn Hearing Center, please visit www.eastpennhearingcenter.com or call our friendly staff today with any of your hearing-related questions, at: 610-965-1093. We are always happy to help, especially if it means putting your hearing first in 2014.

(Written by Diana LoChiatto (Office Manager at East Penn Hearing Center) who is diagnosed with hearing loss and a hearing aid user since 1992).