Let Midwest ENT & Allergy help you stay connected this holiday season
Hearing loss can be gradual. Those who continually ask others to repeat themselves, need the TV volume set to high levels that disturb others, or find difficulty remaining involved in entire conversations, should consider scheduling a test. According to Bob Froke, Audiologist, testing can be rather revealing, as he advises, “You don't always know what you may be missing until we show you.” 1 in 8 people in the U.S. ages 12 or older has hearing loss in both ears, and about 28.8 million adults could benefit from using hearing aids. South Dakota resident Kim Walder is one of those adults.
Said the night wind to the little lamb, “Do you hear what I hear?” Unfortunately, many cannot hear what others hear, as 1 in 8 people in the U.S. ages 12 or older has hearing loss in both ears, and about 28.8 million adults could benefit from using hearing aids. South Dakota resident Kim Walder is one of those adults.
“While I was a teacher in my early 40s, it became increasingly difficult to hear my students,” Kim recalls. “Being a good listener has always been important to me; I realized how only picking up bits and pieces of conversations was separating me from what I valued most in life.” She reached out to her friend Bob Froke, an audiologist at Midwest ENT & Allergy. An evaluation revealed significant hearing loss, and Kim received her first set of devices. “I could immediately hear my students and the people in my life. Now, as a grandma, I have the joy of hearing my grandchildren, which is everything to me.”
Bob reflects on Kim's two-decade-long hearing journey by saying, “I admire Kim's motivation to stay connected to her family.” Hearing plays a powerful role in connection. As Greg Danielson, M.D., of Midwest ENT & Allergy explains, “When you cannot hear, you tend to isolate and even avoid friends and family.”
Isolation can hasten the effects of dementia and other cognitive decline, and Dr. Danielson advocates for intervention of these conditions by explaining, “Treating hearing loss is the only known way to lower your risk of dementia and cognitive decline.” Many people hesitate to address hearing loss because of the stigma attached to it, but Dr. Danielson reminds patients that getting tested is an important first step toward reconnecting with the world around them.
Hearing loss can be gradual. Those who continually ask others to repeat themselves, need the TV volume set to high levels that disturb others, or find difficulty remaining involved in entire conversations, should consider scheduling a test. According to Bob, testing can be rather revealing, as he advises, “You don't always know what you may be missing until we show you.”
The team approach at Midwest ENT & Allergy brings audiologists, physicians and advanced practice providers under one roof to best serve a vast array of patient needs. “Our coordinated teamwork is what really sets us apart,” Dr. Danielson notes.
As we prepare ourselves for the wonderful sounds and sights of the holiday season, those who have addressed their hearing loss can look forward to spending time with their precious loved ones. Kim is especially grateful for her hearing aids and the services of Midwest ENT & Allergy that she has received over the years. “Sounds now seem so much more natural than when I started with hearing aids 20 years ago. If you tried them a while ago, it's time to try them again!”