Indeed, hearing loss can

cause more problems for the family and friends than it

causes for the person with the loss. It places a hardship

on everyone around the person with the loss. That

hardship is much greater if the loss goes undetected or

untreated. Someone who knows he has a hearing loss and

refuses to get help doesn't affect only himself - he's

actually creating unnecessary hardship for this family

and friends.

The good news is that once

a hearing loss is detected, a great deal of help is

available today. Hearing aids have improved dramatically

in just the past three years. The most important step,

though, is up to the person with the hearing loss. That

step involves deciding to do something about it, deciding

to hear as well as possible. Until that step is taken the

hidden costs of hearing loss will continue to control

much of a person's life at school, at work and at home

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