EB: I think that many of us take it for granted, Jennifer—until we start losing it. Dr. Palmer notes that 70 percent of people older than 70 have significant hearing loss. That’s a large percentage of people in our community, especially since the Pittsburgh metropolitan area has a high number of older adults.
JJ: Yes, Esther; that is very true. Hearing loss is a sensitive topic. Older adults may be embarrassed to tell others that they’re having difficulty hearing.
EB: As someone who is getting older, I do think that many people do not want to admit that they are aging. You find yourself turning up the TV a little bit louder or asking people to repeat what they just said, especially in a noisy place. It can be frustrating. But I am encouraged to hear about all the low-cost or free resources for hearing screenings and devices. Many of the resources Dr. Palmer mentioned I did not know about.
JJ: Yes, I agree. It’s important for the community to know these resources exist. There is also a great nonprofit in Pittsburgh, the Center for Hearing and Deaf Services, Inc., that really works to bring services to the deaf community. Amy Hart, the center’s president and CEO, really cares about the community. They have interpreting services, assistive technology services, behavioral health services, life skills programs and audiology services. Their website has a wealth of information. I encourage everyone to check it out for themselves, their loved ones or their friends.
EB: Thank you for sharing those resources. If you have trouble hearing, please don’t sweep it under the rug. It will only get worse. Talk to your health care provider, and let the information on this health page show you that you’re not alone and that there are many resources here in our community to help you.
JJ: Thank you for your time, Ms. Bush. Next month is the last “Take Charge of Your Health” page until the fall. We’re focusing on a topic that is very relevant and affects many in the community—diabetes. There will be a lot of important information, and we hope everyone will read it. If anyone has any questions about the information on this page, e-mail PARTners@hs.pitt.edu.
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