Imagine a computer no bigger than your fist that can distinguish 350,000 different sounds and do this year after year without so much as a battery change.
You have two such computers--your ears.
Those molded things on the sides of your head, and the delicate workings inside, are among the body`s most sophisticated devices. They tune us in to the vast singing, screeching, whispering world of sound; they alert us to oncoming cars when we are elsewhere absorbed; and they pick up and transmit that uniquely human sound--the spoken word.
Yet doctors report that hearing loss is now the No. 4 chronic physical disability in the United States, even more prevalent than back trouble. One of every eight Americans will suffer from some degree of impairment at a point in their lives. As America ages, an ever-increasing percentage of us can`t hear as well as we should. And, research indicates that the clamor and din of daily life has a cumulative effect that`s worse than we thought.
Still, we take this precious sense for granted. Think of how many people you know who wear glasses or contact lenses, or who get their eyes checked regularly. Then think of how few you know who`ve ever had their hearing checked.
Though noise is a major villain, it`s not the whole story. A common adult ailment--impacted earwax--can cause temporary hearing loss. This problem may be easily remedied by treatment with over-the-counter products or a visit to a doctor who`ll clear the clogged canal with a curette, suction or syringe method.
The inner ear may also be damaged by diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis, measles, mumps, diphtheria and pneumonia, and by repeated ear infections. Still other causes: brain tumors, concussions and oxygen deprivation during a difficult birth.
Yet hearing experts have some good news to trumpet: Never before have there been so many surgical and technological advances aimed at restoring at least partial hearing. Here`s a brief rundown:
-- Smarter, more sensitive hearing aids for those with slight hearing loss. President Reagan`s intracanal aid is an example. Tiny and lightweight, the device contains sophisticated electronics and is easier to wear than standard back-of-the-ear models.
The behind-the-ear aid, however, is still more powerful and better suited for those with more severe hearing problems. The body aid--a clunkier device worn on the chest--is the most powerful hearing aid and the best bet for people with very poor hearing.
-- Cochlear implants for the profoundly deaf, though the ``artificial ear`` is anything but a miracle cure. The electronic device, implanted within the ear, alerts the wearer to noise--say, an approaching car. Some training is necessary to learn to use the sounds intelligently.
-- An implantable bone-conduction hearing aid. This device has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and doctors are already hailing it as a breakthrough.
Under anesthesia, a tiny titanium disk is screwed into the skull. A mini- microphone is connected to the unit. This device works on the principle that solid matter (bone) transmits sound more efficiently than air.
-- New treatments for sufferers from tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Clinicians are fitting some patients with masking devices--something akin to white noise--and have begun prescribing sedatives or tranquilizers for others. Since worrying about tinnitus can aggravate it, some doctors are using biofeedback and stress management to help patients cope.
Audiologists advise us to protect ourselves by shunning noisy gatherings and places such as sports events, rock concerts and discos, or at least by limiting our time there. Also, they urge us to wear custom-molded or standard ear plugs or noise-reduction earmuffs. (To increase the sounds going into the ear by six decibels, cup a hand around the outer ear, President Reagan-style.) If you suspect your hearing`s not right, check to see whether you`re taking troublesome medications or have a wax impaction.
Above all, seek help immediately, says Dr. Jane Madell, director of audiology at the New York League for the Hard of Hearing. Make two
appointments: one with an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) to make sure nothing`s wrong medically; another with an audiologist to determine the range of the loss.
For a free hearing health kit from the National Hearing Aid Society, call 800-521-5247. --