Facts About Hearing Loss

• One in ten Canadians experience some form of hearing loss.
   
• Have your hearing tested every two years. You are never too young to have your hearing tested.
   
• Safe tests exist for newborn babies.
   
• Ask your family doctor to refer you to an audiologist or another qualified Professional for a hearing test.
   
• Listening to a walkman at high volume settings (8-9) for only 30 minutes a day can damage your hearing.
   
• Walkmans should be used at a low (less than half) volume.
   
• 90% of all deaf parents have hearing children; 90% of deaf children have hearing parents.
   
• An ultrasound on a pregnant woman poses no threat to the hearing of either baby or mother.
   
• Ultrasound from machines in factories can cause hearing damage when loudness exceeds 120 decibels.

Examples of noise levels range:

• Whispering: 30 dBA
• Normal conversation: 60 dBA
• Electric razor: 85 dBA (sustained over 8 hours, hearing damage can occur)
• Thunder clap (near): 120 dBA (regular exposure of 1 minute or more risks hearing loss)
• Jet takeoff: 130 dBA (theshold of pain)

In Canada, there are two dominant sign languages: American (ASL) used by Deaf English Canadians and Langue des signes Quebecoises (LSQ) used by Deaf French Canadians.

There are more than 100 sign languages in the world. Approx. 30,000 Canadians use sign language as their first language.

Communication Tips: Communicating with Someone with a Hearing Loss

• Face the person and make sure you have eye contact.
   
• Make sure the light falls on your face.
   
• Do not cover your face or mouth.
   
• Do not distort your facial movements
   .
• Try to reduce or eliminate any background noise.
   
• Get the persons attention before you speak-for example tap them on the arm.
   
• Treat the person as an intelligent human being.
   
• Speak slowly and clearly.
   
• Remember that only 25 to 30% of what you are saying is visable on the lips.
   
• That is only 1 out of every 4 words.
   
• Don’t shout! This will not help the person hear you any better and will distort what you are saying.
   
• Repeat or restate the information if necessary.
   
• Talk TO the hard of hearing person, not about him or her.
   
• Look for clues of misunderstanding-for example a puzzled facial expression or inappropriate responses.
   
• If necessary, write your message.

May Is Hearing Awareness Month.

The Canadian Hearing Society has a wealth of information on its website: www.chs.ca

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