Arnold Palmer Discusses Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids with Healthy Hearing

From: Business Wire (press release) - Dec 16, 2003

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2003--Arnold Palmer -- professional golfer, sportsman, hearing aid wearer -- is one of 28 million Americans with hearing loss. Palmer recently discussed his hearing loss, its impact on his life, and coping with the issue with Dr. Douglas Beck, editor-in-chief of Healthy Hearing (www.healthyhearing.com) -- a Web site dedicated to providing consumers the latest news and information on hearing-related issues.

The following is an excerpt from Mr. Palmer's interview: *T HH/Beck: How long have you been wearing hearing aids? Palmer: It's probably been some 30 years or more. I've been wearing hearing aids for a long time. The technology available now is simply unbelievable. When I compare the new digital products to what we had 30 years ago, it's an amazing difference. The products have improved dramatically, and fortunately they'll just continue to get better. I wear two hearing aids, and I do wear them constantly. In fact, I know I shouldn't, but sometimes I have even slept in them. HH/Beck: Can you identify a primary issue or circumstance in your day-to-day life, where the hearing aids make all the difference in the world? Palmer: Well, there was a time when I couldn't hear what most people said to me, most of the time. But with the hearing aids, I understand just about everything. So probably if I had to identify one primary issue -- it would be conversational speech, and I have to tell you the quality of the sound is so nice now -- it really is very impressive. HH/Beck: Can you tell a difference in your own voice, or your own speech patterns when you wear hearing aids, as compared to when you don't wear them? Palmer: Yes, very definitely. I think that when I hear myself better, when I can better monitor how my voice sounds, I can do a better job speaking. And VERY importantly, better hearing has made a difference in my golf game! I've noticed the sound of the golf ball being hit by the golf club is different, and much more realistic, with the hearing aids. The sound with the hearing aids makes sense, and better represents what I know is happening to the golf ball. So you could say that the hearing aids help give me confidence regarding my golf game. HH/Beck: How do you get along in cocktail parties and noisy situations while wearing hearing aids? Palmer: With the new technology in hearing aids, those difficult situations and obstacles have pretty much been overcome. Of course I am always looking for the best and the ultimate, but frankly, Dr. Beck, in a crowded room, I am very comfortable with my hearing aids, and I hear very well. *T

To view the full interview, copy and paste this into your browser:

http://www.healthyhearing.com/healthyhearing/newroot/interview/ displayarchives.asp?ID=160

Contacts

AudiologyOnline, San Antonio
Douglas L. Beck, Au.D., 210-545-0133
content@audiologyonline.com

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