Hope for people with hearing loss
The mandatory use of facial masks has presented a struggle to those living with hearing loss as they rely on reading lips and facial gestures, Sun Health caught up with Audiologist, Nako Mooketsi to discuss hearing loss.
WHAT DOES AN AUDIOLOGIST DO?
An Audiology is a healthcare profession that deals with hearing and balance. An audiologist’s duties mainly include assessment, diagnosis, management and prevention of disorders associated with hearing and balance. The profession accords an individual the opportunity to work in different settings, for example, hospital and clinics (clinical audiologists), school settings (educational audiologists), mines and army (industrial audiologist) and research.
WHAT ARE CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS?
There are different causes of a hearing loss. Some causes are congenital, that is, present from birth, whilst others are acquired later in life. For those acquired; a few causes can be medically treated which will restore or improve hearing whereas majority causes a permanent damage. These include; complications during pregnancy and during delivery, for example, use of drugs during pregnancy, lack of oxygen during birth (birth asphyxia). It may be hereditary, and may also be caused by illness and diseases such as meningitis, trauma (injury) to the head or ear, excessive loud sounds both during recreational and occupational activities, ageing and certain medications (ototoxicity).
HOW EARLY IN LIFE CAN YOU DETERMINE HEARING LOSS? IN INFANTS HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHETHER THEY HAVE A HEARING LOSS?
A hearing loss can be determined immediately after birth. There is a program called Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening designed to help in early detection and intervention of hearing loss. It includes testing newborns with specialised audiology equipments to determine if the cochlea (part of the ear responsible for hearing) is able to receive sound stimulation. Mind you, hearing loss in early life can lead to speech and language
development delays, learning, self-confidence and esteem issues. Hence, the earlier detected, the earlier appropriate intervention can be done to ensure the child’s development is not disturbed.
WHAT STEPS ARE TAKEN ONCE A PATIENT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A HEARING LOSS?
Usually the patient notices the signs of hearing loss prior to being assessed, so it does not come as a surprise to many but rather as a confirmation, however, it can be a shock and frustration to parents whose child has been diagnosed with a hearing loss. Therefore, the first step is usually discussing the result (patient debriefing), which includes counselling, reassuring them and working together to identify suitable options to address concerns they are raising. The option can include regular testing, tactics on how to live with hearing loss and hearing aids.
ARE HEARING AIDS PRESCRIBED FOR ALL PEOPLE WITH A HEARING LOSS?
Several factors come into play when choosing hearing aids as an option. This includes the severity of the hearing loss, the impact it has on the patient’s everyday life and their eagerness to use it. Not everyone qualifies for a hearing aid. The device amplifies sounds to a residual hearing, so if the patient has no hearing thresholds ‘’profound deaf’’, they would not benefit them. In addition, sometimes a hearing loss is mild that a hearing aid would just cause nuisance to the patient.
IF NOT, WHAT OTHER MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO HELP THOSE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR HEARING AIDS?
Sometimes sign language as the main form of communication is a suitable option, which would mean a patient would be referred to a deaf school. In other cases, working with patients to find better ways of communication, for example, teaching how to lip-read helps a great deal.
SHARE THE DIFFERENT STYLES OF HEARING AIDS AND HOW THEY WORK?
The hearing aids all work the same in an effort to amplify sounds and improve hearing however, different styles depend on where they are placed on the ear, for example, Behind the Ear (BTE), In the Canal (ITC), Completely in the Canal (CIC). The smaller and cosmetically appealing they are, the costlier they become.
DO HEARING AIDS NEED CHANGING FROM TIME TO TIME LIKE SPECTACLES, AFTER HOW LONG?
It depends on how progressively declining your hearing loss get, but if the decline is not drastic and if the device is well taken care of, a hearing aid can last a patient over 10 years. Although its accessories may need regular changing, and it may need settings adjustments occasionally, when one fully acclimatises (adapts) to those levels.
DOES HEARING LOSS AFFECT THE YOUNG AND OLD IN THE SAME WAY OR IS IT COMMON IN A PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE?
In my seven years experience, I have come to realise that it affects all groups of people from the young to the old. Studies are showing that young people are at a great risk of developing hearing loss influenced by the lifestyle we live, for example, loud phone speakers, headphones and lifestyle diseases.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS FOR THEM TO LIVE FULFILLING LIVES?
My advice would be don’t let hearing loss deter you from living life to the fullest. My demography of patients include scientist who use sign language as, to Surgeons, Lawyers, teachers, mechanics, among others. I found that telling people you live or work with about your condition helps a great deal as they also modify the way they communicate with you and exercise patience. People with vision problems proudly wear their spectacles, so wear your hearing aids with pride as well. We all have different disabilities!
BY THE WAY, IS HEARING LOSS A SICKNESS AND CAN IT BE COMPLETELY HEALED?
As already mentioned, our assessment includes diagnosing what type of hearing loss one has and its possible cause. If the cause can be treated, for example, removing occluding wax, then hearing can be restored back to normal or significantly improve.
ANY OTHER ADVICE?
The Covid-19 Pandemic came with precautionary measures like the mandatory use of facial masks for everyone and social distancing. This has been a struggle to the people with hearing loss as they rely on reading the lips and facial gestures and close proximity to the speaker. It has also made those who have been living with a hearing loss, aware or unaware, to come forth and have their hearing assessed.