HEARING CARE
HEARING LOSS
Typical Acquired
Hearing Loss
Some of us may be genetically
more inclined towards age-related
hearing loss, but as it is so common,
it’s just regarded as part of the
ageing process. In this case, over
time we lose our ability to hear
softer, higher pitched sounds
more than others. However, the
process is gradual and often goes
unnoticed. So for now, you could
be suffering needlessly without
knowing it. There’s no real way to
prevent this type of loss, although
it’s understood that unhealthy
life choices can worsen the effect
(eg. smoking). But hearing can
still be improved with the help
of hearing aids, especially if the
problem is tackled early on.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can result from long
term exposure to explosion-type
sounds, or periodic exposure over a
long period like attending a couple
of concerts (where after a few
months the hearing loss remains).
Noise-induced hearing loss is
permanent and irreversible. 90%
of young people have experienced
ringing in their ears after a night out
- this is a sign of hearing damage!
Better hearing
with both ears
We are born with two ears for
a good reason. Just as you use
both eyes to focus better, see
things in more perspective and
judge distances accurately; this
is the same with your hearing
as you need two ears to hear
properly. Hearing with two ears
allows us to hear sounds more
accurately, giving improved
perception of space, direction
and balance. When there is a
hearing loss present in both ears,
even if one ear is worse than the
other, wearing two aids provides
the most benefi t. Thus enabling
you to hear voices from further
away, tell where they are coming
from, and listen and understand
more clearly in the presence of
distracting background noises.
Auditory Deprivation
• Do you become tired by trying
to fi ll in the gaps that you
can’t hear in a conversation?
• Have you noticed that you tend
to avoid participating in group
situations and feel a loss of
self-esteem and confi dence?
This is because a hearing loss
causes decreasing levels of sound
stimulation reaching the brain,
gradually over a long period of
time. This is known as auditory
deprivation. It is extremely