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Dear Savvy Senior,

My 58-year-old husband has a hearing problem but doesn’t want to admit it. He watches TV with the volume turned up too high and he particularly struggles when we’re in public places where there’s lots of background noise. I keep telling him to go get it checked out and get some help, but he won’t. I don’t think he realizes how bad his hearing has gotten. But I do! Can you help?

Shouting Wife.

Dear Shouting,

Hearing loss has actually become a widespread problem among the boomer population. In fact, a recent study done by the Ear Foundation found that nearly half of the 77 million baby boomers, are experiencing some type of hearing loss, mainly attributed to noise pollution. Here is some hearing loss information that may be able to help you.

Test Your Hearing

Hearing loss can often create obstacles in a person’s life, whether it’s at home, at work or in a social situation. Because hearing loss usually develops over many years, most people aren’t aware of the extent of their loss until family or friends bring it to their attention. Even then they might deny it. Here is a quiz to help determine if you have a hearing problem.

• Do you have trouble hearing over the telephone?

• Do you have to turn the volume up on the television so loud that others complain?

• Do you feel that others are mumbling and you have to ask them to repeat themselves?

• Do you have difficulty understanding when in groups or in noisy situations?

• Do you have to sit up front in meetings or in church in order to understand?

• Do you have difficulty understanding women or young children?

• Do you have ringing or other noises (tinnitus) in your ears?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have a hearing problem. But, in order to determine your exact degree of hearing loss, go see an audiologist. To find an audiologist in your area visit www.audiology.org/consumer/find or call 800-222-2336.

Savvy Fact: It’s estimated that only 20 percent of Americans who need a hearing aid actually wear one.

Hearing Solutions

Since there’s no such thing as a hearing loss “cure” - at least not right now, the best things currently available are hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and cochlear implants. Here’s some tips you should know:

• Hearing Aids: There are many different kinds of hearing aids, so work with an audiologist to find the right one. Also, ask about having a trial period so you can try out several different aids. Cost for hearing aids can range from $650-$5000 per ear. Medicare does not cover hearing aids.

• Assistive Devices: These are products that can help you live with less than perfect hearing, such as telephone amplifying devices, TV and radio listening systems, or alert products like flashing light door bells, smoke detectors or vibrating alarm clocks. Visit www.clarityproducts.com or call 800-552-3368.

• Cochlear implants: If your deafness is severe, cochlear implant surgery may provide a possible solution. Ask you doctor about this option.

Savvy Resources

• The EAR Foundation: Provides information about hearing impairment, preservation and early detection. Visit www.earfoundation.org or call 800-545-4327.

• Hear Now: A national program that provides free hearing aids to U.S. residents with limited financial resources. Visit www.sotheworldmyhear.org or call 800-648-4327.

• Self Help for Hard of Hearing (SHHH): Provides hearing loss information, advocacy and support. They also offer a comprehensive consumers guide to hearing aids for $6.50 that covers the different types of hearing aid technologies. Visit www.hearingloss.org or call 301-657-2248.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org.