Hearing aids cost from $850 to $2,700 per ear. Farmers are just as prone to hearing challenges as anyone else. In a question-and-answer session with The Land, Eric Christensen, audiologist at Affiliated Community Medical Center in Willmar, shared the following responses.
Q: We hear about increasing hearing problems with young people because of their intense usage of iPods, cell phones, etc. Is the same impact affecting the hearing of farmers?
A: My observation is that people working in agriculture have a higher likelihood of hearing disorders because of the high noise level of some of their daily work. And let’s recognize that many farmers, especially younger farmers, have the same interest in the new music and entertainment delivery systems as do non-farmers.
Q: So what causes hearing loss?
A: Simply put, excessive noise exposure over extended time. The National Institute of Health says approximately 15 percent of Americans between the ages of 15 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to noise exposure. That’s 26 million people. In this area agricultural noise is very common.
Q: Is hearing loss a gradual change with age?
A: Unfortunately yes. In general as we age we tend to lose hearing. Everyone is affected differently by aging.
Q: Are there any particular remedies to minimize hearing loss?
A: Yes, start by using hearing protection devices whenever you’re around loud sound, even when you’re running the lawn mower or using your chain saw. If you already have some hearing loss, then consider any of many different brands and types of hearing aids now on the market.
Q: What’s the price range on today’s hearing aids?
A: Hear at ACMC we have hearing aids ranging in cost from $850 to $2,700 per ear. Costs vary for various reasons such as how big, how small is the aid, so that’s basically a cosmetic factor. The smaller, the more expensive. The other factor is the level of technology in the hearing aid. All hearing aids today are basically a miniaturized computer and digital amplifier. Some of these aids automatically change the sound level without the user having to do anything. They can make changes in noisy environments permitting a much lower sound level into your hearing system. The more automation you select, the more expensive the aids.
Q: How does a person determine when it’s time for a hearing check?
A: There is a definite benefit to having a baseline hearing test to establish where you are. Then if things change in the future you have a benchmark to see how fast it’s happening. But obvious signs are if you hear people saying things but it’s not clear to you. If your family, or friends are saying “Why aren’t you listening?” that too is a signal. Or if you have to turn your radio or TV to a higher volume than other people prefer, you likely have a hearing issue. Many television units now have sound numbers that register on the screen so you can readily see the ‘comfort level’ for different people in the same room.
Christensen suggested people should mention to their family doctor if they have hearing issues because many insurance policies including Medicare will pay for hearing evaluations by a professional audiologist if the referral comes from your family doctor.
