Deaf/Hard of Hearing

What does it mean to be deaf or hard of hearing?

It’s normal to have to ask people to repeat themselves sometimes. However, if you find yourself favoring one ear when speaking to someone, or having to lean in closer as they talk, there’s a chance you may be hard of hearing.

If an adult is hard of hearing, it means they have full or partial loss of their ability to hear sounds in their environment. Hearing loss can develop in adults for many reasons, including:

• Getting older
• Middle or inner ear problems/infections
• Damage received to the inner ear as a result of loud noises
• Head trauma
• Autoimmune disorders
• Buildup of wax ( a reversible cause of hearing loss )
• Hearing loss/deafness runs in the family

The sooner a person seeks help from a medical professional regarding their hearing, the better they’ll be able to manage obstacles and adapt to changes. Thankfully, Therapy Care in Batavia’s speech and occupational therapy services can assist adults who are hard of hearing or beginning to notice hearing loss.

Signs of hearing loss in adults

You may be wondering “How can I know if I need to see a Therapy Care therapist about my hearing?” There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to determining whether or not you’re experiencing a hearing loss, including:

• Lowered work performance
• Trouble speaking or understanding spoken words
• Balance issues
• You may not be aware of loud or sudden noises
• You need others to speak louder, or you favor hearing out of one ear over the other.

How therapy at Therapy Care can help you

Therapy Care’s speech and Physical therapists can assess your current hearing abilities to determine the right course of action for your treatment.

Therapy treatment for deafness and hearing loss may involve using multi-sensory approaches, visuals, or the use of hearing aids to help you adjust to a hearing impairment. Depending on how hard of hearing you are, your therapist might work with you on new forms of communication, such as sign language.

Taking the next step

Therapy can help to make sure you are able to enjoy the highest quality of life possible while keeping yourself safe and comfortable.

If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, don’t hesitate to contact Therapy Care Batavia, IL today to consult with one of our Batavia speech or occupational therapists!