Turkeys gobble and sleigh bells ring - can you hear the sounds of the holidays?

Osceola, IA, Spetember 22, 2009 — (ARA) - Holiday music, noisy families feasting, and a hearty "ho, ho, ho" - the sounds of the holidays are as much a part of the spirit of the season as turkey dinners, twinkling lights and brightly wrapped gifts. But what do you do if you - or a loved one - can't hear the sounds of the holidays as well as you would like to?

The holidays are also a time when some people feel isolated. Hearing loss can contribute to that sense of isolation if someone misses out on the sounds and conversations that help make the holidays bright. Anger, frustration, paranoia, anxiety and depression have all been associated with hearing loss in numerous studies.

"No one wants to feel left out during the holidays, but if you aren't able to hear the well wishes and other sounds of the season, it can be difficult to feel the holiday spirit," says Dr. Barry Freeman, an audiologist with Starkey, a leading global hearing technology company.

So how can you help a loved one with a hearing loss enjoy the holidays?

First, you should be aware of some facts about hearing loss from the Better Hearing Institute, including:

* It's not just a problem for seniors. In fact, 65 percent of all people with hearing loss are younger than retirement age. More than 31 million Americans have hearing loss - that's one out of every 10 people.

* Excessive noise is the top cause of hearing loss, which may explain why 15 percent of people age 45 to 64 - the first generations to grow up listening to loud rock music - have hearing loss.

* The use of hearing aids can help reduce anger, frustration and anxiety, providing overall improvements in emotional health and stability.

You can help your hearing impaired loved one by taking several steps this holiday season:

If your loved one already uses a hearing aid, be aware of the challenges he or she may face in a gathering. Holiday parties, whether at home or in the office, are often boisterous and noisy - conditions that can challenge the technical limits of some hearing aids.

The holidays might be a good time to encourage your hearing impaired loved one to look into new technology that works better in noisy conditions. S Series from Starkey has a state-of-the-art feature that virtually eliminates the buzzing or whistling (feedback) often associated with hearing aids. This helps wearers hear as well as possible even in the noisiest environments, like restaurants and holiday parties.

The treasured holiday call from far-off friends and loved ones can also be a source of frustration for a hearing impaired individual wearing hearing aids. Starkey's Automatic Telephone Solutions automatically adjusts when a phone is placed near the wearer's ear for optimal telephone performance.

If your loved one has not yet sought help for his or her hearing loss - or is even in denial about it - you can use the spirit of the season as an opportunity to discuss treatment. Some people may deny their hearing loss because they perceive it as a sign of growing older, or they fear that wearing a hearing aid would be uncomfortable and unattractive.

"Hearing aids are no longer large, bulky pieces of plastic sitting behind your ear," says Freeman. "Today's hearing aids run and process sophisticated algorithms just like a computer to provide the listener with an excellent experience - all wrapped in an elegant package. Many aids are so discreet, only the user will know he or she is wearing it."

No one needs to miss a minute of the holiday action this year - neither you nor your hearing impaired loved one - thanks to modern hearing aid technology. The holidays are a great time to put that technology to work reconnecting with friends and family by hearing better.

To learn more about hearing aids, visit www.starkey.com. If you suspect you have hearing loss, visit your hearing care professional for a diagnosis and to discuss treatment.

Courtesy of ARAcontent, published in the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune