HEAR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW

Sharlene Pekny, a licensed and certified Audiologist, has working for over twenty years to restore hearing to those in need. According to Sharlene about 10% of the US population has some degree of hearing loss. And, an even greater incidence of hearing loss is anticipated in the future when today’s youth become older. Excessive audio volume at entertainment and sporting venues and personal music players today can be expected to lead to hearing loss unless ear protection is used. Sharlene noted that some hearing loss is expected due to natural aging, but there are also occupational and environmental sources of hearing loss. We can minimize all sources of hearing loss but the effects of aging by using some type of earplugs or sound attenuators. Hearing is a vital communication in the world around us, Sharlene stated. Personal hearing aid devices are designed to restore hearing loss, and Sharlene explained there have been great changes the past five years as the devices have been converted to digital technology. A hearing test is needed to assess the degree of hearing loss. There are generally three classes of hearing aids. The more advanced hearing aids can amplify certain frequency ranges and filter other frequencies with a dynamic response to one’s environment.