What are the most common causes of hearing loss?
Ageing and exposure to noise are the main culprits. However, heredity and some illnesses can also cause hearing loss.
As we get older, physical changes take place in our ear canal. Around 90% of all cases of hearing loss are because the microscopic hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) become damaged or degenerate and that limits their ability to detect soft, higher frequency sounds.
Hearing loss can also be caused by regular exposure to loud noises such as gunfire, working in a noisy environment or listening to loud music.
Wear proper ear protection when you are exposed to loud noise!
What are the symptoms and signs of hearing loss?
The first sign of hearing loss is when you find it difficult to hear certain sounds or tones clearly. It becomes difficult to distinguish between similar-sounding words and you have to ask people to repeat themselves. You struggle to hear people talk in noisy environments like restaurants, your family tells you the TV is too loud….. the list goes on.
Hearing loss may occur suddenly or gradually over time and it may be partial or total.
Don’t wait – if you suspect something is wrong with your hearing, rather contact me for a proper assessment.
What are the different types of hearing loss?
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sounds cannot travel through the outer ear (the ear canal) and middle ear (the eardrum and the bones of the middle ear) to the inner ear. You may find it difficult to hear soft sounds and even louder sounds may be muffled.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (sensory) or the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve viii).
Mixed hearing loss is when conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss occur at the same time.
How common is hearing loss?
Deteriorating hearing isn’t actually unusual at all! Around 55% of people over 60 have some degree of hearing loss, rising to over 70% of people by the time they reach 70 and well over 90% of people older than 80.
Hearing loss can affect your quality of life, but it is never too late to do something about it.
Contact me today for a full diagnostic hearing test – it may well change your life!
Do I need a hearing aid?
Is your hearing loss affecting your daily life? If you are having trouble communicating and keeping up with your regular lifestyle – then yes, a hearing aid will definitely make a huge difference!
Your hearing loss is a hearing problem for everyone around you!
If you can’t see properly, you get glasses, right? So if you can’t hear properly, don’t suffer in silence – try out a hearing aid. You will not believe the difference it will make, not only to you but also to the other people around you!
I will do a proper assessment and talk to you about options that may help you.
Will hearing aids restore my hearing?
Unfortunately not! – that is why it is called a hearing loss. You lost the ability to hear as well as you used to. Neither do they prevent the progression of hearing loss over time.
They only make things easier to hear.
Wearing two hearing aids will have added benefits – better hearing in noisy environments, improved ability to determine the direction of the sound source and a better or improved signal-to-noise level.
Eight out of 10 wearers say hearing aids have improved the quality of their lives!*
(* 2017 WebMD survey, commissioned by Starkey Hearing Technologies)
Is it difficult to get used to the new hearing aids?
Each person’s experience will be different. Remember, you will be able to hear sounds that you haven’t heard in a long time. The re-learning process takes place in the central auditory system and your brain needs time to sort out the new information entering the ears.
However, after fitting the new hearing aids, I will give you a couple of free follow-up sessions so that I can make changes to the programming to help with the adjustment process.
How much does it cost?
A lot!
Like cellphones, hearing aids are technologically rather complicated and the manufacturers spend a considerable amount of time and money on research and development. Unlike cellphones, however, hearing aids are sold in relatively low volumes – hence the high price.
The good news is that there is an extensive range of available models – almost like buying a car. It all depends on what you need – and obviously your budget! Some models have more programs and features and are smaller than others.
The entry-level hearing aids will amplify all sounds (and drive you crazy) while the more advanced hearing aids will isolate voice sounds from a noisy background. And these days, you can change all the settings from an app on your smartphone.
Some of these high-end (and very stylish!) hearing aids can cost anything up to R 60 000 apiece and if you can afford it, I can supply it!
For the rest of us, work on a budget of between R 18 000 and R 26 000 for a very good, capable hearing aid. Assistive devices, like remote controls and remote microphones, can be added to significantly enhance your hearing experience.
I will assist you with the process by motivating an application for benefits to your medical aid. Most medical aid companies will cover all or at least a substantial portion of the cost.
Come on – you owe it to yourself – and your loved ones!
