Many unaware of their hearing loss

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Many Americans suffer hearing loss as they grow older and don't realize it.

Without his hearing aids, Russ Rizzo only hears very loud sounds but he didn't realize he was losing his hearing.

"The family kept harping and harping, so I said, well, I'll go and get a hearing test and show that I don't need hearing aids. And when I got the result of the hearing test, I knew I had a problem," said Rizzo.

Audiologist, Joyce O'Brien said, "Most hearing losses are gradual and because they are gradual, people don't realize the amount of hearing loss that they're having."

Russ was in a rifle company in the Army and shooting practice may have hurt his hearing.

"And the noise from that rifle and plus the guy next to you and the other side when you got into the barracks, your hearing was, all you were hearing was gunshots," he explained.

O'Brien said, "Whether it's from the military, job-related noise exposure, recreational noise exposure, listening to music, we do see that it can contribute to hearing problems."

For those who discover their hearing problem, there's a wide range of technology.

Russ has digital hearing aids that he can adjust with a remote control.

"It's just, it's amazing what these aids do," he exclaimed.

He can even use a remote device to answer his cell phone.

The technology is amazing but we also have to use techniques of communication.

It seems like more and more people are wearing hearing aids.

Part of that may be due to more exposure to loud noises and it's a good idea to wear ear plugs for protection when you're in a noisy environment, like using machinery, mowing a lawn, even at a rock concert.

You'll still hear the music with earplugs but you won't get hearing loss.