Soundsgood

ADULT CARE

Hearing Loss

The ear has three parts- outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. A person may have a hearing difficulty if there is a problem with any of the three parts of the ear. Each of them plays a crucial role in relaying the sound information to the brain. When the ears capture the sound waves, they convert them into messages that the brain can understand. How well is the sound captured and how clearly is the message sent to the brain, depends on the individual’s hearing ability.

Hearing loss can occur at any age. Causes of hearing loss are:

Aging (most common cause in adults above 55 years of age)
Ear infections
Medicines that are harmful to the ears
Tumours
Meningitis
Measles
Chicken pox
Mumps
Head injury
Exposure to loud noises, loud music or explosions

At Sounds Good Clinic, a detailed hearing evaluation is undertaken because a hearing assessment is much more than "just a hearing test". The evaluation answers whether one has a hearing loss? If yes, what could be the cause of the hearing loss? How severe is problem? What is the most viable and effective treatment option for the individual?

Hearing loss is well-understood, and there is plenty of hope. By seeking information here, you’ve taken the first step in getting the information and help you need.

Common questions about hearing loss in adults/ elderly:

1. When is the right time to seek help?

Hearing loss is an invisible condition which is often ignored/ may go unnoticed until it worsens drastically. One must seek help immediately if you experience one or some of the below listed symptoms:

A feeling of being able to hear but not understand others’ speech clearly
Watching TV at a loud volume
Asking others to repeat what they said
Can only understand if someone talks from the front, difficulty in listening if someone talks or calls out from behind
Difficulty understanding everyday conversations at home/office
Avoidance of social situations that were once enjoyable
Increased difficulty in listening/understanding in noisy situations like restaurants, lively family gatherings, in the car or in group meetings
Ringing and/or buzzing sounds in the ears

It is also advisable to get a comprehensive hearing evaluation done annually for all those who are above 55 years of age (irrespective of whether the above-mentioned symptoms are experienced).

2. Are hearing aids the only option for those with hearing loss?

No. Hearing aids are ONE of the options for hearing loss treatment. Medications, surgeries etc are recommended in certain cases. The decision regarding the most suitable treatment option for an individual is dependent on these three factors:

Type of hearing loss
Degree of hearing loss
Configuration, or the shape, of hearing loss
Hence, a precise and comprehensive evaluation is a must to decide the next correct step.

3. I am not that old. Why should I wear hearing aids from now?

Hearing loss can happen at any age. Hearing aids are advised when you cannot be helped with medication/surgery. There is no “right age” to wear hearing aids. These medical devices, when fitted accurately by a qualified audiologist, bring a lot of ease in listening to sounds and others’ speech. Participation in everyday conversations with your family, friends and colleagues is maximised when fitted with hearing aids that are most suited for your condition.

4. I can hear most of the times and it is only difficult when someone talks softly or talks/calls out from behind. Can’t I wait to seek help?

Absolutely no. Difficulty in hearing soft speech/distant speech warrants immediate attention. One cannot wait till it worsens further. Depending on the age and other factors, you may be left with very limited/ no treatment options if hearing ability has deteriorated too much. It is best to seek advice from a qualified professional as soon as a problem is detected.

5. I have heard that hearing aids are noisy devices. What if they don’t suit me?

If your hearing cannot be improved by other treatment options, hearing aids maybe advised. Unlike the older analog (low technology) devices which were noisy and uncomfortable, the new-age listening devices are extremely advanced, comfortable and simple to use. Digital signal processing in the hearing aids helps you connect to the world of sound without any noise disturbance. Digital hearing aids can be tuned and adjusted according to your specific needs and lifestyle. Smart digital hearing aids suit most individuals, are durable, affordable and invisible!

5. Do invisible hearing aids really exist?

Yes. Hearing aid technology has come a long way from the big, bulky devices of the past. Depending on the nature of your hearing loss, hearing aids are customised for your ear canal such that they sit inside your canal making them almost invisible. These small devices are also very comfortable to wear and easy to use.