Helen Keller once noted that of all her impairments, she was perhaps troubled most by her lack of speech and hearing. She elaborated that while blindness separated her from things, her lack of speech and hearing separated her from people -- the human connection of communication.
An estimated 35 million Americans have a hearing loss that can be treated; yet fewer than 7 million use a hearing aid. You or someone close to you could be one of them. So during the month of May, take stock in your own hearing and seek help if you think you may have a problem.
You may have hearing loss if you:
-frequently ask people to repeat themselves
-often turn your ear toward a sound to hear it better
-understand people better when you wear your glasses or look directly at their faces
-lose your place in group conversations
-keep the volume on your radio or TV at a level that others say is too loud
-have ringing (tinnitus) in your ears
