editor

dear editor: I am writing to ask that Hearing Health magazine change its editorial policy regarding the term “age-related hearing loss,” a phrase used in your survey and on page 31 in the Winter 2021 issue. It should not be used, nor should the similar term “presbycusis.”

Here’s why: Hearing loss is common with age, but it is not part of normal physiological aging. Hearing loss with age is predominantly noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). I came to this conclusion after reviewing the literature, including classic 1960s studies of hearing loss in isolated populations not exposed to noise. Based on experimental observations, Charles Liberman, Ph.D., and team concluded the same in a paper published in the Journal of Neuroscience in August 2020.

Yet it turns out neither of us had discovered anything new. Karl Kryter, Ph.D., used the term “sociocusis” in 1983, meaning “non–work–noise–induced hearing loss,” but it was Aram Glorig, M.D., who coined the word back in 1962.

If people think hearing loss is part of normal aging, they are less likely to take steps to protect their hearing. They may think, “When I reach middle age, I’ll probably need reading glasses like my parents, and when I get older I’ll probably need hearing aids like my grandfather.” They don’t understand that lenses provide a visual correction, but as your staff writer Shari Eberts has explained, hearing aids merely amplify sounds and don’t help improve speech comprehension anywhere near what glasses or contact lenses do to improve vision.

NIHL may be the most accurate term, but sociocusis also includes other causes of hearing loss such as ototoxic drugs or ear infections, while emphasizing the importance of noise exposure. Perhaps Hearing Health magazine can substitute sociocusis for age-related hearing loss and presbycusis.

Daniel Fink, M.D.

The Quiet Coalition California from the editor: Thank you for raising this terminology issue. We rely on definitions established by scientific bodies like the National Institutes of Health and will watch for nomenclature updates. Thank you for also providing references for the work you cite, which we share at hhf.org/spring2021-references.

dear editor: Reviewing the Winter 2021 issue of Hearing Health and filling out the survey has inspired me to write to suggest additional topics for you to explore that would be helpful to people like me, people with hearing challenges who are also advocating for community changes to make it easier for hearing challenged people.

While the primary aim of the Hearing Health Foundation is to research to prevent and cure hearing loss, the mission statement also includes the phrase “to promote hearing health.” To this end, it would be helpful to focus on the acoustic environment of public buildings and spaces. I would be particularly interested in the latest findings related to hearing loop technologies and other audio technologies that can support the integration of hearing challenged people into the civic, political, and entertainment culture of our communities.

At this time, I am involved in the creation of a new cohousing community in California. We are considering what acoustic treatments will be most effective for our members, many of whom, like myself, are up in years. I am relatively new to the hearing advocacy world. If there are resources that you would recommend on this topic, I would be pleased to receive them. Thank you for your consideration of these suggestions and for all the work you do.

Anne Geraghty

Washington-Commons.org California

from the editor: Making our environments acoustically friendly, including decreasing ambient noise, has long been a goal of both David Sykes, who has a story on the topic on page 36, and Daniel Fink, M.D., who wrote a letter on the opposite page and is also a frequent contributor. Both are with the group Quiet Communities (which includes the Quiet Coalition), at quietcommunities.org. The Hearing Loss Association of America has information about hearing loops at hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/ hearing-loop-technology. For noise and privacy guidelines in communities, one reference is fgiguidelines.org/guidelines/2018-fgi-guidelines.

dear editor: I found the Winter 2021 article on virtual rehabilitation for vestibular problems encouraging (“Going Virtual,” by Anat Lubetzky, Ph.D.). I had standard physical therapy for my unilateral vestibular hypofunction, which was very helpful, but did think some sort of virtual application could be useful. This would be especially true for those that already have physical problems that make some aspects of standard therapy challenging.

In my case because of back and knee issues, standing on one leg repeatedly became a bit painful. I would also think using virtual real world situations such as the subway scenario would be doubly helpful for people like me. Certain situations seem to trigger episodes. When I initially got out of the hospital I could not drive or ride a bike. When I was able to drive I found that if anyone was in the car and talking to me, I would get dizzy.

Glad to see good research like this is taking place. Your publication is a critical link for bringing research and people’s experiences together.

Arthur Lichtman

California dear editor: I always enjoy reading your magazine. I am a jazz educator in my 80s and I’ve been publishing books, CDs, etc., for 53 years. I play sax, bass, and piano. Hearing is very important to me as well as to all the people I work with.

Reading Hearing Health reminded me of a joke I use to let people know I have hearing aids and how important they are. I’ll be lecturing to musicians who have come to hear me explain how to play jazz and improvise on their chosen instrument. Everyone is usually nervous because they aren’t sure what is going to be asked of them. Right in the middle of music theory when my students are just about to get lost, I’ll say: “I bought these hearing aids about six years ago and came home to find out I’d been married!” That always relaxes things.

Jamey Aebersold

Founder, jazzbooks.com Indiana

dear editor: I live in a retirement community and have organized a support group for residents with hearing loss. Of course, a large percentage of us have a problem with hearing! We are very grateful for your work and eagerly read your magazine.

Virginia Stella

California

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