How should people Cope with Hearing loss? What are proven ways to prevent hearing loss and how to treat it?

 Hearing loss can be isolating, frustrating, and embarrassing. It can take away daily pleasures and threaten your independence. However, there are ways to cope with hearing loss and improve your quality of life.

Prevention

The effect of noise on hearing depends on how loud it is (sound intensity) and how long it lasts (duration). Avoiding noisy situations is the best prevention. If you can’t avoid the noise, use adequate hearing protection

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. Here are some tips to help prevent hearing loss:

• Turn down the volume of music systems.
• Move away from the source of loud sounds when possible.
• Take breaks from the noise.
• Avoid loud, noisy activities and places.
• Use hearing protection
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• Manage your blood pressure and cardiac health.
• Stop smoking and vaping, and limit drinking
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Treatment

Several options are available for hearing loss, ranging from medical treatment to listening devices, such as hearing aids. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of hearing loss

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. Here are some treatments for hearing loss:

• Medical treatment, including medications and surgery, is recommended for many types of hearing problems, particularly conductive hearing loss
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• Hearing aids are devices worn on or inside the ear to amplify sound. They can be adjusted over a wide range of hearing loss and can be customized to fit the person's needs
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• Cochlear implants are surgically implanted into the inner ear to treat inner ear hearing loss
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• Aural rehabilitation and listening and auditory communication enhancement can help you adjust to hearing loss and hearing aids. A therapist can also help you learn to use visual cues and lip reading to improve communication
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Coping Strategies

Here are some tips to help you cope with hearing loss:

• Let your family and friends know you have a hearing problem
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• Ask people to face you and to speak louder and more clearly
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• Pay attention to what is being said and to facial expressions or gestures
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• Let the person talking know if you do not understand what was said
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• Seek medical help
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• Join support groups
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• Try lip reading
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• Obtain a diagnosis
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• Speak slowly and clearly. Face the person when you speak so they can see your mouth and facial expressions
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• Use hearing assist devices, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices
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• Work with a professional who can help you and your family learn to communicate
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• Use coping strategies, such as repeating what you heard, asking for clarification, and using visual cues
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Remember, hearing problems that are ignored or untreated can get worse. If you have a hearing problem, see your doctor

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