World Hearing Month encourages us to think about what it means to lose your hearing
Most of us, as we age, lose hearing very slowly; and for a long time, we can manage to function in the world without it being too noticeable. Our brains allow us to fudge it a bit – we can fill in the gaps in conversation; we can look intently at people’s faces as they speak and let the visual part of our brains help with the missing sounds; we can laugh when others laugh, and nod and smile in crowded places. Sometimes we just withdraw and become silent in company; or are reluctant to socialize altogether. We miss banter, jokes, one-off remarks. Sometimes, we talk too much, to maintain control of the conversation and to avoid the embarrassment of not hearing something we are asked. Sometimes we become a bit grumpy or slightly paranoid (“They are talking about me!”). The symptoms of severe hearing loss can resemble (and be mistaken for) the symptoms of dementia. Indeed, there are studies that correlate untreated hearing loss with earlier than usual cognitive decline. We hear with our brains. Hearing well stimulates the brain.
In my audiology practice, people with hearing loss sometimes tell me that they feel isolated, ignored, lonely, depressed, crazy, “not part of the world”. Heartbreakingly, adults who had hearing loss as children relate how they were bullied at school, and treated as stupid, even by teachers.
If you know someone is not hearing well, (and there can be a variety of reasons for this, including stress and grief, as well as damage to the hearing system), then you can help by first of all, getting their attention before you speak, and then looking at them while you speak (rather than wandering out of the room). If your friend is over 60, there’s a chance that they aren’t processing speech as quickly as they used to – this is completely normal. You can help by not rushing your speech.
If you are worried about your hearing, it is worth getting a hearing test with a qualified audiologist who is a member of the New Zealand Audiological Society. Audiology is not yet a registered health profession in New Zealand, unlike optometry, podiatry, Chinese medicine, dentistry and so on. Booking with an NZAS audiologist means they are trained and qualified, and must abide by the NZAS Code of Ethics and complaints procedures. There is a cost for a full diagnostic hearing test, and it will take around one hour for a full assessment. you can take your test results away with you - you may find it useful as a baseline, without need of further action for many years.
If you do need and want to trial a set of hearing aids, there are various things to know.
Hearing aids come in a wide range of technology levels and prices. There are 5 main global manufacturers, so you should be given a choice of products that suit your lifestyle and a choice of technology levels that suit your budget. Ask if the aids are “locked”; or can be adjusted elsewhere. You may be eligible for financial help from the Government. There is a subsidy of $1022.22, available once every 6 years for people aged 16 and older. There is a funding scheme via Enable for people with a dual disability (such as vision and hearing); or those with a CSC card and registered as looking for work, or working 30 hours a week; with hearing loss since childhood; or a sole carer of a dependent person, where the Government pays for the hearing aids, (but not the fitting service). There is a Veterans’ Affairs NZ funding scheme, and also ACC – both of which pay generously towards the cost of getting hearing aids.
Ask your audiologist.