Find a fuller life with better hearing
Hearing loss often occurs gradually, so you may not even notice it happening. Nonetheless, the impacts can be profound, and while hearing loss is more common as you age, there is nothing ‘‘normal’’ about losing your hearing.
Audiologist Carolyn Till says problems are often centred on communication and over time can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.
The loss of mental stimulation that sound provides can also contribute to cognitive decline, making treatment one of the best ways to ensure you keep a sharp, healthy brain.
‘‘Hearing and wellbeing are very closely linked so hearing loss should never be ignored no matter what your age. The sooner you seek treatment, the better the outcome will be,’’ Carolyn says.
People of all ages and with a wide variety of hearing conditions – including tinnitus – see Carolyn at her St Albans clinic, Sincock & Till Audiology.
For anyone unsure of their own hearing loss, Carolyn says there are a few common indicators. These include:
❚ Losing clarity of voices
❚ Difficulty hearing in social environments
❚ Setting the TV volume louder than others would
❚ Ringing in the ears
❚ Feeling exhausted due to the
effort of paying attention For some people, hearing loss can be traced back to noisy environments, particularly at workplaces.
This shows as damage to the auditory hair cells in the inner ear, Carolyn explains, using the analogy of grass in a meadow: walked over once or twice, the grass will overall be okay, but persistent heavy trampling will cause irreparable damage. Sound is like the footprints, with loud, persistent noise like a stampede through the inner ear.
‘‘Treatment is very important but so is protection,’’ Carolyn says. ‘‘One option is custom-made ear plugs, which can protect your ears during noisy activities or swimming, or help reduce noise while sleeping.’’
The health of the ear canal is normally regulated by ear wax but when someone swims it can change the consistency of the wax, ultimately impacting the pH balance, Carolyn says. This can increase the risk that bacteria and other organisms will take over the normally healthy ear canal.
Earplugs help prevent ear infections as well as keep the temperature in your ear canal stable so you don’t get dizzy. Custommade earplugs from an audiologist ensure a perfect fit.
Carolyn says if hearing loss has already occurred due to a noisy workplace, people may be able to access funding for treatment from ACC. Sincock & Till Audiology can advise on the appropriate steps to take.
Solutions can be found in a wide range of discreet, easy-to-use hearing aids that come with increasingly advanced features, such as wireless connectivity with a phone, remote adjustments to the hearing aid, and built-in rechargeable batteries. They could also be fully automatic with no need to make adjustments.
❚ To find out more, contact Sincock & Till Audiology on 03 385 6036 or visit staudiology.co.nz. The clinic is located at 701 Barbadoes St, St Albans, has offstreet parking and is on the 44 and 100 bus routes.