Hearing loss can be a tough problem to admit. It's often several years between the time that people first identify hearing loss and the time they actually get a hearing aid or other help. That's too long.

Getting help for hearing loss is often viewed as a sign of old age and disability, and few of us want to face that.Balance this viewpoint with another one: Taking action to protect your hearing can have an immediate and positive impact on your quality of life — physically, socially and emotionally.

Hearing loss: The physical costs

Hearing loss can involve disorders of the ear that cause temporary or chronic pain. In addition, hearing loss can be a symptom of a serious disease or condition, such as a tumor, that requires prompt medical attention. Getting treatment for these conditions could restore your hearing, ease your pain and even save your life.

Hearing loss: The social costs

Think about the consequences of living each day with hearing loss.

You can't hear what people are saying, so you constantly ask them to repeat themselves. Or, you just nod your head, smile and pretend to understand.

Friends and relatives see you as confused or uncoopera­tive, simply because you don't hear well. At the same time, you feel angry that people seem to mumble whenever they're around you. You wonder why they don't just speak up — or if there's something they don't want you to hear.

You have trouble hearing the TV or the stereo, so you crank up the volume until your family complains.