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Article: Hearing loss. (Common Health Concerns: Learn more about the medical concerns you might have.(Disease/Disorder overview)
- Article from:
- Pamphlet by: National Institute on Aging
- Article date:
- November 1, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 National Institute on Aging. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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About one-third of Americans older than age 60 have hearing problems. About half the people who are 85 and older have hearing loss. Whether a hearing loss is small (missing certain sounds) or large (being profoundly deaf), it is a serious concern. If left untreated, problems can get worse.
Hearing loss can affect your life in many ways. You may miss out on talks with friends and family. On the telephone, you may find it hard to hear what the caller is saying. At the doctor's office, you may not catch the doctor's words.
Sometimes hearing problems can make you feel embarrassed, upset, and lonely. It's easy to withdraw when you can't follow a conversation ...