Living well with Hearing Loss

A. Hearing Loss occurs when sound enters the ear like normal but due to a problem in the auditory pathway (outer ear to the brain) sound is perceived as softer, muffled, distorted or absent.

There are 4 types of Hearing Loss:
1: Conductive Hearing loss (e.g. wax plugs, otitis media infection or ‘glue ear’)
2: Sensorineural Hearing loss (e.g. noise induced hearing loss, age related presbycusis)
3: Mixed Hearing loss (conductive and sensorineural hearing loss combined)
4: Central Hearing loss (e.g. auditory neuropathy, head or brain injury)

Will I loose my job? Did I just say the wrong thing again? Will people think I’m old? Do they think I’m being rude and ignoring them? Those with hearing loss are at greater risk of having a low self esteem and lower confidence.

Hearing Loss is the invisable impairment or disability that can cause significant loneliness and social isolation from family, friends and community. We all need social connection to thrive.

Disconnection, negative feelings and the loss of independence caused by hearing loss impacts our mental health. Good mental health helps us cope with challenges in our lives which includes hearing loss.

Hearing loss impairs our ability to communicate effectively, which can significantly impact what job you can do or how well you perform in formal educational setting.

Hearing loss impacts a childs ability to hear sounds and words which is required for speech and language, reading, learning and social developement. Early detection is crucial for this age group.

Hearing loss significantly impacts older Australians in their everyday life and affects their communication, independence, social connection, relationships, mental wellbeing and their overall Quality of Life.

Hearing loss causes alot of frustration and friction in relationships from misunderstandings, having to repeat or raise their voice, or from not being able to understand the other person. This can negatively impact our relationships with the people closest to us.

There is alot of research going into hearing loss and dementia. Whilst they aren’t directly linked there is alot of evidence that hearing loss can increase your risk of dementia due to loss of auditory stimulation to the brain over time.

Hearing loss is tiring work and the extra daily effort that is required just to listen and communicate can reduce your energy levels and your desire to want to join others for social events and activities.