About Your Hearing

Did you know by the time we reach 25, our hearing starts to decline? And by 50 almost half of people have difficulty understanding conversation, particularly in noisy environments? Globally at least 500 million people have hearing loss.

Hearing loss occurs when hair cells in the inner ear become damaged and cannot translate vibrations into sound impulses for the auditory nerve. The rate of hearing decline is also affected by factors such as noise exposure and genetics.

Though hearing loss is common, a large percentage of those who could benefit from hearing instruments do not use them. However revolutionary advances in digital technology offer exceptional sound quality, superior speech clarity, natural comfort and attractive cosmetics, in one device!

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

The symptoms of hearing loss are often difficult to spot as they come on gradually. Common symptoms include:

• Difficulty hearing in noisy situations
• Hearing without understanding
• Believing the person speaking is mumbling
• Using lip reading to understand the person speaking
• Increasing the volume on the TV/radio
• Difficulty hearing environmental sounds such as birds, sirens, or telephone rings

Though hearing loss occurs slowly, it has real impact. Someone with loss might:

• Avoid social functions due to difficulty with understanding conversations
• Become upset/frustrated or have others become angry/frustrated with them due to misunderstandings or not properly hearing things
• Experience loneliness or isolation, which can lead to depression
• Be at risk as they are unable to hear warning sounds such as alarms, horns or sirens

There may have been numerous excuses to avoid treatment in the past, but significant technological advances in recent years mean real assistance is available. With the latest digital technology, there is no waiting, risk, or reason to go without. If you or someone you know may be suffering from hearing loss, please consult a hearing care professional today.