What's that you say? What's that you say? (September 10, 2004)

Ways to treat hearing problems

Q: I almost always have ringing in my ears. What can make it go away?

A: It sounds like you suffer from tinnitus (pronounced: ti-NIGHT-us) or "ringing in the ears." Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant, and its volume can range from subtle to incapacitating.

Tinnitus doesn't discriminate among the more than 50 million Americans who experience it: People of all ages and races can experience tinnitus. It's usually caused by damage to the inner ear caused by noise-induced hearing loss (remember the day after the rock concert or fireworks display?), wax buildup in the ear canal, ear or sinus infections, head trauma and certain medications.

Most causes can be readily assessed and addressed. The most important thing to do is see an audiologist to evaluate the possible causes and methods to treat tinnitus.

Q: I think my father is losing his hearing but he refuses to get it checked. How can I help him?

A: "Eh, I'm just getting old" is a common defense for hearing loss. If he's like many aging people, your father might be avoiding having his hearing checked because he thinks that the only solution is a hearing aid. Not so!

Some types of hearing loss can be treated medically. Even if his hearing loss is permanent, there are alternative assistive listening devices and technologies that can help. With a signed statement from an audiologist, many people qualify to receive free amplifying phones. He doesn't want to miss out on phone calls from the grandchildren, does he?

Hearing loss can also be a symptom of a more serious medical problem, yet another reason for him to be checked out by a specialist. With appropriate care, your father will no longer be able to claim that he didn't hear you ask him to help wash the dishes.

Q: My 2-year-old doesn't talk as much as her peers do, and when she does it is difficult to understand her. What should I do?

A: Your daughter may be having a hearing difficulty that simple tests can measure. Early intervention is the best treatment for hearing loss. Sometimes hearing loss is the underlying problem of speech abnormalities. Some children outgrow them, but not all do.

Children have a critical window of opportunity for maximum language development, from infancy to 3-years-old. This is their optimal chance for normal language development.

Trust your instincts. If she's having difficulty speaking, don't put off having her hearing checked. Someday, she'll thank you -- clearly -- for it.

Ellen King, audiologist and manager of Camino Medical Group's Audiology department
Have a medical question? E-mail it to Cynthia Greaves at greavec@caminomedical.org

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