For many people, hearing loss is a natural and gradual part of the ageing process. Hearing loss can also be caused by genetic medical conditions, ear infections, illness, traumatic injury or prolonged exposure to noise.
It's a Common Problem
Hearing loss is one of the world’s most common health problems. It is also one of the most ignored problems, and this is unfortunate because hearing loss and its psychological side effects are highly treatable.
Hearing without understanding
Hearing loss is not like listening to sounds with the volume turned down. Instead, you may notice that certain spoken sounds — like sh, th and f — are more difficult to hear than others. That’s why people with hearing loss often say they can hear people talking but can’t understand what is being said.
The problem goes beyond hearing
While most hearing losses do not cause physical pain, they often have social and psychological affects. These include:
- breakdown of communication
- social isolation
- employment difficulties
- depression
- frustration and loss of self-esteem.
Untreated hearing loss in children can delay the development of speech, language and learning skills.
If you suspect you are experiencing hearing loss, consider these questions:
- Do you often ask others to repeat themselves?
- Do you turn up the TV or radio louder than others prefer?
- Is it particularly difficult to understand conversation when
there is background noise?
- Does it often seem as though others are mumbling when they speak to you?
- Do you have difficulty following group conversations?
- Do you find it difficult to identify from which direction sounds are coming?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a hearing loss. Enquiring about having your hearing tested is a very important
step. Discovering that you have a hearing loss can be difficult to accept at first, and you’re not alone. Many people with hearing loss wait years to take action.
That’s a long time to live with an issue that can be readily addressed with hearing instruments.
