Ask a Health Professional Each week health professionals give their educated opinions on relat- able health questions. We believe that knowledge is power! 705 10th Ave. Menominee, MI (906)-864-2945 Herltage Johanna Zuehls, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology Question: I know I have a hearing loss. I need hearing aids, right? Not necessarily. First, the only way to complain about hearing loss if they A: don't actually have a loss? When a know you have a hearing shift occurs in your hearing, you can loss is to have a hearing often tell. A whisper you might have test. I have many people come to heard from across the room a few me with complaints of hearing loss years ago might be silent now. You whose hearing falls within the realm might miss things pcople are saying. of normal. These people will notice a difference in their hearing and be Our initial instinct is to fix it, but again, the fix could do more damage. concerned - as they should be. How- The first thing you can do is get ever, if there isn't a diagnosed hearing loss, it is dangerous to wear hearing a baseline hearing test when you believe your hearing is the best - right aids. now. Your hearing will not be better If someone were to wear a hearing tomorrow or a month from now. Now aid that is not meant for them - even is the time to determine where you if it helps them hear better - they could be doing permanent damage should be. If you notice a problem going forward, we can sec if it is your hearing or maybe even a processing issue. Perhaps your brain is having a harder time interpreting what it is you that cannot be reversed. If someone were to wear glasses that were not appropriate for them, they can do permanent damage, but a new are hearing even though the signal is prescription can probably help the person see clearly again. When damage occurs to the auditory nerve, getting there. There are so many questions to clarity will never return. While a answer when someone notices a hearing aid can help, it will never be hearing loss. The best thing you can perfect. do is get all the information gathered Then why might someone before the problem starts. Ask a Health Professional Each week health professionals give their educated opinions on relat- able health questions. We believe that knowledge is power! 705 10th Ave. Menominee, MI (906)-864-2945 Herltage Johanna Zuehls, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology Question: I know I have a hearing loss. I need hearing aids, right? Not necessarily. First, the only way to complain about hearing loss if they A: don't actually have a loss? When a know you have a hearing shift occurs in your hearing, you can loss is to have a hearing often tell. A whisper you might have test. I have many people come to heard from across the room a few me with complaints of hearing loss years ago might be silent now. You whose hearing falls within the realm might miss things pcople are saying. of normal. These people will notice a difference in their hearing and be Our initial instinct is to fix it, but again, the fix could do more damage. concerned - as they should be. How- The first thing you can do is get ever, if there isn't a diagnosed hearing loss, it is dangerous to wear hearing a baseline hearing test when you believe your hearing is the best - right aids. now. Your hearing will not be better If someone were to wear a hearing tomorrow or a month from now. Now aid that is not meant for them - even is the time to determine where you if it helps them hear better - they could be doing permanent damage should be. If you notice a problem going forward, we can sec if it is your hearing or maybe even a processing issue. Perhaps your brain is having a harder time interpreting what it is you that cannot be reversed. If someone were to wear glasses that were not appropriate for them, they can do permanent damage, but a new are hearing even though the signal is prescription can probably help the person see clearly again. When damage occurs to the auditory nerve, getting there. There are so many questions to clarity will never return. While a answer when someone notices a hearing aid can help, it will never be hearing loss. The best thing you can perfect. do is get all the information gathered Then why might someone before the problem starts.