Get A Handle On Hearing Loss

Illawarra Mercury

Monday September 12, 2005

By GAY MACKIE

HEARING loss can be much more than just a frustrating nuisance for everyone involved.

It can play havoc with family and social life and contribute to a reduced quality of life alienating the sufferer from day-to-day activities.

In a recent survey AudioClinic found that more than 22,000 people in the Wollongong area admitted to suffering some degree of hearing loss.

And while 51 per cent said they had sought treatment within a three-year period, almost 20 per cent waited for up to 10 years and more.

The organisation said hearing loss was invisible, often misunderstood or ignored as a disability but that a well-fitted hearing aid could lead to improved health, social activity and emotional wellbeing.

A spokesperson said hearing and quality of life were closely linked affecting both the person with the loss and those around them.

"However, hearing aids today are smaller, smarter and sound better than ever before and can certainly improve an individual's quality of life reducing the strain in relationships and improving general health and attitude to life," she said.

AudioClinic National Hearing Aids has the largest private network of hearing care centres in Australia assisting more than 30,000 clients every year, assessing hearing and recommending solutions to suit most hearing conditions and budgets.

The spokesperson suggested help should be sought when:

? you feel as if people are constantly mumbling and frequently have to ask them to repeat themselves;

? you experience difficulties hearing someone calling from behind or another room;

? you get exasperated and confused by noisy environments such as in a car or at a party;

? you can no longer hear your watch ticking, water running or birds singing;

? family, colleagues and friends suggest you might be suffering hearing loss;

? you find yourself making excuses because you couldn't hear what was being said.

Audiologist at the Wollongong office of AudioClinic Bronwen Reid said the earlier a hearing aid was fitted, the sooner the client would adjust to the difference it made.

"Hearing aids don't distort sounds but they do make them much louder and people need some time to adjust to noises they hadn't heard for a long time," Ms Reid said.

She said if they had hearing loss for some time before having a test and subsequently a hearing aid fitted, they may think what a noisy world we live in.

"They need time to get used to the airconditioner shooshing for example, traffic noises and so on and the earlier the problem can be diagnosed and a solution found, the quicker their acceptance will be," she said.

Ms Reid said because gradual hearing loss was a natural part of the ageing process, she recommended clients had their hearing checked at least once a year to allow for re-programming of the hearing aid.

Illawarra Mercury readers can receive a free hearing check by calling 1800 057 220 to make an appointment at the nearest AudioClinic.

"The offer is available to anyone over the age of 21, the test is painless and takes around an hour," Ms Reid said.

© 2005 Illawarra Mercury

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