Hearing loss & hearing impairment
LISTEN TO YOUR EARS
EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR HEARING AND HOW WE KEEP IT FIT
Our hearing is perhaps the most fascinating sensory organ. We owe it not only the ability to learn and understand languages or to enjoy music and even play it ourselves. Our hearing also houses our sense of balance and generally helps us to find our way around. Some experts are even of the opinion that the loss of the sense of hearing is more serious than the loss of the sense of sight. A blind person perceives their environment in a 360° radius. A deaf person, on the other hand, cannot hear a car approaching from behind. His everyday life is full of moments of shock.
Hearing loss should be treated as early as possible because untreated hearing loss can also affect the psyche in the long term. Those affected find conversations stressful, eventually avoid social contact and withdraw. A timely visit to a hearing care professional helps to eliminate the risk of serious consequences of hearing loss.
Ears are senso(h)rs
Our ears are sensitive guardians of our individual physical condition. Persistent noise, whistling or abrupt hearing loss are always alarm signals. They can turn into tinnitus or even sudden hearing loss, the dangerous inner ear infarction. A slight, temporary ringing in the ears is not too bad, everyone is probably familiar with this. However, frequent or even persistent ringing in the ears should be treated by an ear, nose and throat specialist. They are an indication that we should check our own lifestyle. Are we under too much stress? Are we eating a healthy diet? Do we smoke or drink too much?
It's a good idea to listen to your ears.
High-tech from nature
Our ears are true marvels of biology: with tiny bones for precision mechanics, a fluid for the sense of balance and around 3,000 hair cells that ensure that we can perceive the highest and lowest frequencies.
Like any high-tech device, our hearing apparatus is very sensitive and subject to wear and tear. The bitter truth: our ears age. Presbyacusis (age-related hearing loss) usually sets in from the age of 50. Around half of men over 65 and 25% of women over 65 are affected.
It's not so bad at first. As the hearing loss occurs very slowly, our brain learns to compensate for the lack of power so that we don't notice it at first.
Age-related hearing loss begins quite harmlessly
The main causes are signs of wear and tear and damage to the fine hair cells in the cochlea. However, the auditory nerve, the auditory center and the relevant areas of the brain are also affected by the aging process. It is a natural process in which hearing loss occurs seemingly without any recognizable cause. Exposure to noise also leaves its mark. The process is accelerated if cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, hereditary predisposition or nicotine consumption are added to the mix. Diabetes, high cholesterol levels or a history of middle ear disease also contribute to age-related hearing loss.
This begins quite harmlessly at first:
- Frequent questions because what was said was not understood
- The other person speaks "very clearly" and uses facial expressions to help
- The television sound gets worse, it is often difficult to understand the dialog
- There are complaints from your partner or neighbors because the TV or radio are too loud
When the TV entertains the whole house
MAKING TELEVISION A LISTENING EXPERIENCE AGAIN
MODERN TECHNOLOGY MAKES EVENING TELEVISION A PLEASURE AGAIN
Statistically speaking, most people only realize that they have a hearing problem when they can no longer understand the TV sound. There may already be complaints from the neighbors because the sound has been turned up too loud. It is often only then that those affected go to an ear specialist or hearing aid acoustician.
Modern technology offers another way of dealing with this problem. It ensures that you can fully enjoy your favorite show again. Thanks to it, an evening in front of the TV is once again a pleasure.
"PLEASE WHAT?!?"
WHEN THE EARS GET WORSE WITH AGE
It begins with high frequencies becoming less perceptible. The sound becomes increasingly muffled. Later, the mid and low frequencies also disappear. At some point, normal communication is no longer possible. People ask questions, misunderstand and many things are no longer heard at all.
If you feel that listening is becoming increasingly difficult, this may be a sign of hearing loss. Get hearing loss treated as early as possible. This is because untreated hearing loss can have a serious long-term impact on a person's psyche. Those affected find conversations very stressful, increasingly avoid social contact and withdraw. A professional hearing test provides certainty. This can be arranged quickly and free of charge with most audiologists.
A wide network of qualified hearing aid acousticians is available to provide you with advice and assistance. It is also advisable to visit a hearing care professional in good time to rule out the risk of serious consequences of hearing loss.