What Causes Hearing Loss? My article from KSAT.com

 
ABC affiliate KSAT in San Antonio, TX, printed my story, What Causes Hearing Loss? on their official website. Here is an excerpt:
 
By L. Anne Carrington, Contributing writer

Perhaps it was present at birth. Perhaps it had been the result of a poorly treated or even an untreated ear infection or other ailment. Perhaps it's just getting older. Whatever the case may be, at some point in their lives, someone or their loved ones have suffered from hearing loss, and living in a world of silence or near-silence is one that can be difficult to adjust to, but the transition can be easier with a few changes, depending on the person's approach to this impairment.

Sometimes hearing problems can make the affected person feel embarrassed and isolated, and sometimes their aloofness can be mistaken for withdrawing because they can't follow a conversation in group settings, such as a family gathering or a dinner at a restaurant. It's also been a mistaken assumption for friends and family of a hearing-impaired person that has not sought treatment (or even either isn't aware they have a problem or are in denial) to think the person with hearing loss is confused, uncaring, or difficult, when the problem may be that he or she is just hard of hearing.

There are two points to remember: Minor decreases in hearing are common after age 20, and problems with hearing usually come on gradually, and rarely end in complete deafness. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many with hearing loss can go on to lead normal, productive lives.
 
Read more (courtesy KSAT.com)