Hearing loss & hearing impairment
LISTEN TO YOUR EARS
ALL ABOUT OUR HEARING AND HOW TO KEEP IT HEALTHY
Our hearing is perhaps the most fascinating of our sensory organs. Not only does it enable us to learn and understand languages and enjoy music and play instruments ourselves, it also houses our sense of balance and helps us orient ourselves in general. Some experts even believe that losing our sense of hearing is more serious than losing our sense of sight. A blind person perceives their environment within a 360° radius. A deaf person, on the other hand, cannot hear a car approaching from behind. Their everyday life is full of moments of shock.
Hearing loss should be treated as early as possible because untreated hearing impairment can also affect mental health in the long term. Those affected find conversations exhausting, eventually avoid social contact, and withdraw. Seeing a hearing care professional in good time helps to rule out the risk of serious consequences of hearing loss.
Ears are sensory organs
Our ears are sensitive guardians of our individual physical condition. Persistent noise, whistling, or sudden hearing loss are always warning signs. They can lead to tinnitus or even sudden hearing loss, which is a dangerous inner ear infarction. A slight, temporary ringing in the ears is not a cause for concern, as most people are aware. However, frequent or even permanent ringing in the ears warrants a visit to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. It is an indication that we should review our lifestyle. Are we under too much stress? Are we eating healthily? Are we smoking or drinking too much?
It is wise 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 our sense of balance, and approximately 3,000 hair cells that enable us to perceive the highest and lowest frequencies.
Like all high-tech devices, our hearing aids are very sensitive and prone to wear and tear. The bitter truth is that our ears age. Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) usually begins at the age of 50. Around half of men over the age of 65 and 25% of women over the age of 65 are affected.
It's not that bad at first. Since hearing loss occurs very slowly, our brain learns to compensate for the loss, so we don't notice it at first.
Age-related hearing loss begins quite innocently
The main causes are 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 without any apparent cause. Noise pollution also leaves its mark. The process is accelerated when cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, hereditary predisposition, or nicotine consumption are added to the mix. Diabetes, high cholesterol levels, or a history of middle ear diseases also contribute to age-related hearing loss.
It starts off quite innocently:
- Frequent questions because what was said was not understood
- The other person speaks "very clearly" and uses facial expressions to help them communicate.
- The TV sound quality deteriorates, making it difficult to understand the dialogue.
- There are complaints from your partner or neighbors because the TV or radio is 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 they have a hearing problem when they can no longer understand the sound on the television. Perhaps their neighbors have already complained that the volume is too loud. It is often only then that those affected make their way to an ear doctor or hearing aid specialist.
Modern technology offers another way to address this problem. It ensures that you can enjoy your favorite show to the fullest again. Thanks to this technology, watching TV in the evening becomes a pleasure once more.
"WHAT?!"
WHEN YOUR HEARING DETERIORATES WITH AGE
It starts with a reduced perception of high frequencies. The sound becomes increasingly muffled. Later, the mid and low frequencies also disappear. At some point, normal communication is no longer possible. People ask for things to be repeated, misunderstandings occur, and much of what is said is no longer understood at all.
If you feel that listening is becoming increasingly difficult, this may be a sign of hearing loss. Get your hearing loss treated as early as possible. Untreated hearing loss can have a serious long-term impact on a person's mental health. Those affected find conversations very tiring, increasingly avoid social contact, and withdraw. A professional hearing test will give you certainty. Most hearing care professionals offer these tests free of charge and can arrange an appointment quickly.
A wide network of qualified hearing care professionals is available to offer you 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.