According to Janet Revelle, Au.D., director of audiology at Bacharach's Hearing HealthcareCenter, the worst thing about hearing loss is thatitisinvisibleandusuallypainless.

"Since you can't see it, and it doesn't hurt, it often goes unrecognized," says Dr. Revelle. "Instead, people with hearing loss feel increasingly frustrated and isolated as their impairment gradually worsens. Over time, social lives may suffer and family relationships maybecometenseandstrained."

Fortunately, there is help. A licensed audiologist can perform a comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessment to determine the typeandseverityofimpairment.

When hearing loss is confirmed, hearing aids are the most commonly prescribed treatment. The fittings are tailored to each individual's needs.

Today the so-called "open fit" hearing aids have signaled a revolutionary change in the market. These tiny new devices fit just above the ear shell, and only an invisible monofilament actuallyenterstheearcanal.Theopenfitdevices arelight,comfortableandvirtuallyunnoticeable as most shells are available in colors that mimic the wearer's hair color. Conversely, for those who prefer to be more fashion-forward, the devices are available with shells in trendy colors - think "cabernet" or "sunset" as well as "leopard" or "pinstripe" - adding fun and a sense of humor to the formerly stodgy hearing aid concept.

Many people with hearing loss are sensitive to loud sounds and have a limited comfort range. Programmable and digital hearing aids have the ability to make up to a million calculations per second to process sound and automatically reduce amplification of loud sounds. This offers the wearer greater comfort for loud sounds as wellasbetterclarityforsoftsounds.

Of course, there are many causes of hearing loss other than the natural aging process. A licensedaudiologistisbestqualifiedtoconducta comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessment, and if appropriate, fit hearing aids, provide follow-up care and train both you and your family members. If a medical problem is identified, an audiologist will work closely with yourphysician.

"There is a saying that the person with the hearing loss is often the last one to know," says Dr. Revelle. "After age 55 a hearing test is a very good idea."