Hearing Aids

Most of us must have heard the quote, “Music is all around us; all you have to do is listen” from August Rush.

Any sound that we hear around us can be considered music. Be it the chirping of birds, wind blowing through the trees or the crashing of waves; these are all sounds we love to hear. However, not everyone has the privilege of doing so. Partial or complete deafness is not a new phenomenon and has affected people for a long time.

With the help of a handy medical device called the hearing aid, it can be corrected. That being said, getting your first hearing aid can be overwhelming. There are sounds you may have never heard or forgotten, which will all be accessible now. It is natural to feel anxious and apprehensive in such a situation.

However, there are many benefits to getting hearing aids and this is why we are here with a short guide to help you get through the process. We hope reading this will put your mind at ease.

Now, let’s begin!

What Can I Expect From A Hearing Aid?

Thanks to advancing technology, hearing aids are becoming smaller yet more powerful. That’s not all; most of them are dust and water-resistant, making them easier to wear on a regular basis. But despite constant upgrades, people remain hesitant to use them. This is mainly because they do not know what to expect.

For some the idea of being aware of sound, especially if they have been devoid of it their entire life, can be daunting. More than this, there is also a social stigma attached to hearing aids, which has reduced over time but still prevails. 

Nevertheless, if you have decided to go down this road, then here are a few things you need to be ready for.

1. Adjusting 

“A small device that can allow you to hear” – as magical as that sounds, it does take some time to get used to it. Usually, the adjustment period is about two weeks, but it can vary from person to person. It’s not just hearing sounds that needs getting used to but also wearing it daily has to become a routine.

Additionally, it can take more than a month of continuous wearing to get used to hearing and responding to sounds. Irrespective of whether it’s the first hearing aid or a replacement, you will have to wear it for more than 10 hours a day to process speech and sound like any other person.

2. Difference In Voice

Talking while having a hearing aid on can be a bit uncomfortable for some. This is because the ear has something plugged in which is making your voice sound louder than usual. With time, the discomfort ceases to exist. However, if it persists, we recommend visiting a doctor. 

3. Enhanced Hearing 

A hearing aid is an incredible device that amplifies the surrounding sounds. If it’s the first time you are getting one, then even white noise will seem loud. This is not only because of the device but because your mind is perceiving something new. However, with time and continuous use, the sounds will start to adjust themselves in your head.

4. Initial Discomfort 

There is no denying that plugging something in the ear and keeping it on for long hours can be uncomfortable. However, prolonged use is the only way to get used to hearing aids. Despite the discomfort, the device will not cause any pain or soreness.

We suggest keeping it on and going about your day for an easy and seamless transition into a life with hearing aids. After a point, it will be as normal as fixing your hair. 

5. Follow-Up Appointments

Booking follow-up appointments are essential for ensuring that you get the most out of your hearing aid.The whole process of wearing a hearing aid and getting used to the surrounding sounds requires professional help. Plus, only a doctor can help fine-tune the device according to your preferences.

There is also a chance that you might face troubleshooting issues, especially if it is Bluetooth enabled. Such issues should only be looked at by a professional. 

Now You Know All About What To Expect!

Hearing aids are a blessing by the medical industry and have enriched the lives of many. 

Losing your sense of hearing can be devastating and life-altering. However, we should be grateful to live in an era where medical advancements have made it possible to fix it. With a bit of support, advice and patience, hearing aids can help people get back to living a normal life. 

We hope this guide has been eye-opening and informative. And on that note, we shall take your leave and be back soon with more guides.If you have any questions contact us at any time! You can also do our online hearing test to check how your hearing is going in the comfort of your own home.

Until next time!

Dental and overall healthcare check-ups are always on our do-to lists. But it’s always our ears that we tend to neglect!

Healthy ears with a strong hearing ability promote good life by facilitating communication to bond with others. However, this sensitive sensory organ is often subjected to loud noises, which, in turn, might deteriorate its health in the long run.

Other common reasons for impaired hearing might be age or other medical factors. Irrespective of the cause, it’s a good idea to get your hearing tested as soon as possible if and when you experience the evident signs.

When it comes to visiting an audiologist, most of us tend to get confused about when and how often ears should be tested. That’s why we’ve come forward with this brief yet informative guide.

Read on to know all the basic details of having your hearing tested.

When Should You Have Your Hearing Tested?

1. In Case Of Confirmed Hearing Loss

It’s better to get retested from time to time, especially if you’re already aware of your hearing loss issues through past screening. Pay close attention to any change that you might come across, and get it checked immediately.

You’ll also need to visit your hearing care provider to get your hearing aid checked and adjusted. In case your hearing loss has progressed to something more severe, you might even need to replace it with a new pair.

2. In Case Of Suspected Hearing Loss

Most people after the age of 50 experience their first hearing loss signs. However, children and young adults might also suffer from impaired hearing. The gradual onset might go unnoticed at first, but eventually, the signs become apparent. That’s when you should go and have your ears tested.

How Often Should You Have Your Hearing Tested?

There’s no denying that regular hearing check-ups are important to determine if there’s any change in your hearing capabilities. But the exact frequency will depend on the following factors.

1. Age

Hearing capability deteriorates with age – something that’s commonly referred to as Presbycusis, aka, age-related hearing loss. The damage of the inner ear cells becomes more prevalent, affecting the abilities of people to hear high sound frequencies (more than 2,000 Hz to 5,000 Hz).

Elderly people above the age of 60 should go for one or two hearing tests every year, irrespective of whether they are experiencing hearing loss symptoms or not.

2. Constant Exposure To Loud Noises

People who are constantly exposed to loud and jarring noises are at high risks of suffering from permanent hearing loss. That said, if you work in a noisy environment, such as construction sites, a club, or engage in activities like motorcycle riding, have your hearing tested at least once a year.

Hearing Test Procedure

Ideally, hearing tests are conducted in soundproof rooms or cabins, where you’ll be asked a couple of questions as part of an initial assessment. Then, sounds with varying frequencies ranging from 25 Hz to 8,000 Hz will be played via headphones.

They will be played in each ear individually, starting from the lowest frequency, which is inaudible. The volume will then be slowly increased, and you’ll have to press a button, indicating your ability to hear the audio.

Once that’s done, the exact test will be performed again using vibrations on your skull. This is usually done to determine if your inner ear is damaged.

An audiogram will be used to evaluate the conducted test. It generally displays sounds on scales, providing the required information in decibels on the hearing threshold level.

This will help the audiologist identify the deviations in frequencies to diagnose the type of hearing loss you’re likely experiencing. Consequently, you’ll be recommended a suitable hearing aid if needed.

Is It Time For You To Get A Hearing Test?

There are a few self-evaluation questions to ask yourself before heading to a hearing care provider for testing. Do you have to ask others to speak loudly during a conversation? Are you hearing noises inside your ears? Or are you facing difficulties in having a telephonic conversation?

If the common answer to all these questions is yes, it’s recommended that you get your ears checked. You’re more likely to benefit from getting a hearing test early on as it will be easier to nip it in the bud.

After all, hearing loss, if left untreated for a longer time, will make it more challenging to improve your hearing. By then, your options of treating the problem might even become more limited.

That said, even if you’re a healthy adult who’s not experiencing any signs of hearing loss, it’s advisable to have your hearing tested every three to five years.

On that note, we’ll sign off. Till next time!

Let’s start by dispelling the myth that hearing aids are for the elderly. Purchasing hearing aids has helped improve many Australian’s quality of life.

While it’s true that older people face hearing loss with their advanced age, youngsters too are susceptible to hearing difficulties. Rather than feeling ashamed and hiding the problem, modern hearing aids make it easier for people to go about their daily lives. 

In Australia, several top brands are using state-of-the-art technology to develop fantastic hearing aid. But rather than wooing you with fancy gadgets, we’ll focus on answering the all-important question – why are hearing aids beneficial? 

All you need to do is have an open mind and read our guide to clear any lingering doubts. Get ready to step into the world of crystal clear hearing. 

Benefits Of Hearing Aids

Advantages Of Modern Hearing Devices 

Hearing aids reduce stress, delivering more clarity while communicating with people. We’ve highlighted a few well-documented advantages of using these tools, and you can make a note for future reference.

1. Greater Ease 

Hearing aids amplify soft sounds like a clock ticking or the refrigerator door closing, ensuring that you’re better aware of your surroundings. This might be a problem if you’re using hearing tools for the first time, but gradually you’ll learn to adjust. With time your brain will become accustomed to the amplified noises. 

2. Less Interference 

Having discussed amplified noises previously, this point may seem like a contradiction. It’s true that you might face difficulty if there’s too much background noise, but there’s a solution. Engineers have designed hearing aids with dual microphones, reducing background interference for improved clarity. 

3. Comfortable 

Comfort is of the utmost importance when choosing a new gadget. So, top brands design premium-quality hearing tools that form a snug fit, meaning you can wear them throughout the day. 

Initially, you may experience an occlusion effect, whereby your voice grows louder due to amplified hearing. This tricks your brain into thinking that you need to be loud and respond in the same tone, causing you to shout. But don’t be concerned as it gets better after the first few days. 

Double Hearing Aids 

So far, we’ve looked at single hearing aids, but you can also use dual hearing aids if your doctor recommends. Are double hearing aids better than their single counterparts? Let’s find out. 

1. Localisation 

Using a hearing device in each ear will help you better locate the source of the sound. This is known as localisation which is a minor disadvantage of single hearing aids since the sound arriving at one ear is different from the other. Hence, the brain has difficulty processing the information. 

Long story short, users with two hearing aids find it easier to adjust to their new device. 

2. Healthy Lifestyle

To discuss this point, we must briefly explain how the nervous system works; don’t get flustered because it’s quite simple. When the ear picks up on vibrations, the central nervous system sends these impulses to the brain, allowing you to hear. 

Now, when people use a single hearing device, only one side of the brain responds to the impulses, leaving cells on the other side to starve. This could lead to atrophy, which dual hearing aids help avoid. 

3. Improved Performance

If you remember, we had spoken about the advantage of using dual microphones, helping to block background noise. A hearing aid in each ear helps drown out surrounding noise for improved perception. 

When you use one device, the other ear remains exposed to the surroundings. You may wonder how it affects the troubled ear since its hearing ability is already poor? Well, background noise is considerably higher compared to a person’s voice. So, if someone happens to speak from the wrong side, their voice loses power as the sound travels through the ear. 

In that regard, double hearing aids prove effective, cancelling unnecessary sounds. 

Who Needs Hearing Aids?

A third of adults aged above 65 years are likely to have hearing issues. 

It’s important to be vigilant because hearing issues happen over time, making the signs difficult to notice. So, if it seems that people mumble most of the time, it’s time you visited the doctor. 

You may also find yourself consistently failing to hear what other people are saying, which might persist even after purchasing a hearing device. This is because hearing aids aren’t full-proof; they neither cure nor slow down age-related hearing issues. But they do help make your life easier. 

Conclusion  

We hope you liked our analysis of hearing aids and how they help people live normal lives as much as possible. 

One way to stay healthy is to go for regular checkups. Don’t ignore persistent signs of discomfort, and always consult your doctor to purchase the correct hearing aid. 

Good luck, we will see you later!

Speech and language development is eminently dependent on a child’s auditory sense, with mental, personal, and behavioral development being closely linked as well.

Hearing loss in children isn’t limited to a certain age group. It affects both younger and older children. Further, it could develop before, after, or during birth.

If you suspect that your child’s hearing is impaired, or if you’ve never had it tested before, it’s highly recommended that you get it tested as soon as possible.

In this article, we cover the different types of hearing tests in Sydney, Australia as well as the basis on which they’re carried out, so stick around.

Why Do Children Need Hearing Tests?

Babies born in Australia get their hearing screened at birth via special non-invasive equipment. Thereafter, the results are recorded in the baby’s discharge book (the blue one).

Even though all babies are screened at birth to eliminate the risk of impaired speech and language development, it’s still possible for them to develop hearing loss later on in their lives.

If your baby wasn’t screened at birth or has failed the screening test, it’s imperative that you get your baby’s hearing tested or retested as soon as you can.

The most common cause of hearing loss in young children is ear infection. Luckily, it’s just a temporary condition. However, this doesn’t take anything away from the fact that it can result in impaired speech and language development.

This brings us to the importance of having your child’s hearing tested throughout the different stages of their life. Each age group is assessed via different tests and equipment which we’re going to shed light on shortly.

How Much Do Hearing Tests Cost?

We’re going to cover the different places at which you can have your hearing checked, but we’re going to use local Spacesavers stores for reference in this section of the article.

At a Spacesavers store, you can have your hearing checked by an audiology professional for free. The entire test takes around 15 minutes. Based on the result of this test, the need for a full diagnostic assessment is determined.

Note that there are many other hearing clinics that offer free 15-minute checks. We’re just using Spacesavers Audiology as an example.

In the event of needing further diagnostic assessment, Spacesavers’ comprehensive test will set you back $49. The test takes an average of 60 minutes.

Keep in mind that the Australian Government Hearing Services Program offers free access to a host of high-quality hearing services and devices for those who are eligible. Head to the website to check eligibility.

What Are the Different Types of Hearing Tests?

Different testing techniques are utilized based on the child’s developmental age. The end goal of any hearing test is to deliver a plot between the softest levels (decibels) and various pitches (frequencies), also known as an audiogram.

The following paragraphs shed light on the most common hearing tests carried out in Sydney per age group.

Under 6 Months

Babies under 6 months are assessed via objective techniques that don’t necessarily require them to respond to the sounds they hear.

These techniques are best carried out when babies are asleep or settled. Special equipment such as chimes and bells may be used by pediatric audiologists in certain cases to assess the baby’s response to different frequencies.

The responses that audiologists look for don’t have to be head turns. They could be anything from frowning or raising an eyelid to awakening or startling.

As mentioned previously, babies born in Australia get their hearing tested upon birth, but a lot can happen in 6 months. So, if you have any doubts about your baby’s hearing capabilities, get in touch with a pediatric audiologist right away.

6 Months to 3 Years

Babies between 6 months and 3 years of age are assessed by a wide variety of tests depending on their development. If the baby has established the ability to turn its head, the specialist may use a puppet show to assess its hearing capabilities. This is referred to as Visual Reinforcement Orientation Audiometry (VROA).

VROA is the most commonly used technique for this specific age group because of its proven success rate. Using this technique, the audiologist will be able to determine whether or not the child has ample hearing for normal speech and language development.

VROA can be used in conjunction with headphones to help assess the child’s ability to receive separate ear information. It all boils down to development and cooperativeness.

2.5 to 4 Years

For this specific age group, play audiometry is the most favorable testing technique because it’s basically a game. It could be anything from building a block, completing a puzzle, or other. Each time the child participates in the game in any way, a different sound chimes.

The frequency of the sounds chimed range from 250Hz- 8KHz, which are very soft sounds. As mentioned earlier, the aim of these tests is to produce an audiogram that analyzes the child’s ability to perceive softer sounds.

Note that the test sounds in the play audiometry technique are uttered via loudspeakers or headphones. If the former is utilized, the test will require less time than if the latter is utilized since both ears will be tested at the same time rather than individually.

5 Years and Over

Children over the age of 5 will be tested via play audiometry or pure tone audiometry, depending on their maturity and development. Pure tone audiometry is basically a test of how loud sounds need to be in order for a child to hear them. In this test, a child will usually be required to push a button every time they hear a sound.

Other Tests

The above-mentioned tests are the most commonly used for each respective age group, but they’re not the only tests that specialists utilize. Below is a list of some of the other hearing tests that your child can undergo.

• Air Conduction: This is a test that assesses a child’s ability to hear different tones via headphones.
• Tympanometry: This isn’t a hearing test. It’s basically an eardrum checkup. It’s known as a middle ear test.
• Bone Conduction: This is a test that assesses your child’s cochlea and its ability to pick up vibrations.

Get Your Child Tested

Hearing is essential to proper speech and language development in a child, and so we urge you to have your child tested regularly to eliminate the risk of temporary or permanent hearing loss.

We’re told that we need all five senses to enjoy the world – but what happens when you have a hearing impairment?

It isn’t surprising to figure that most people associate music with auditory senses. In simple words – you need to have good hearing to enjoy music. But is that really the case?

Suffering from a hearing impairment can feel like a blow to your senses – especially if you enjoy playing music. To ease your mind, we have some excellent news. No! Hearing loss will not prevent you from playing music.

In reality, musicians are often at risk of noise-induced hearing loss due to their constant exposure to loud decibels. However, this shouldn’t prevent you from continuing the journey to discover music.

Here’s all you need to know about hearing loss and the ability to continue playing music.

Does Hearing Loss Prevent You From Playing Music?

People suffering from hearing loss often imagine not being able to play or listen to music again. They tend to shy away from music, thinking that it won’t sound the way they remember it.

Before you put your favourite musical instrument in stow, let us tell you how this is nothing more than an old-time myth.

Signs You May Be Suffering A Hearing Impairment

Do you suspect your hearing is beginning to suffer? Well, you’re not alone. Lots of people, especially musicians, report hearing losses of varying degrees. Here are a few symptoms you should look out for.

1. Speech & Sound Seem Muffled

The first signs of hearing loss show up in everyday life, rather than when you’re trying to enjoy music. You might observe everyday sounds such as speech or sounds from your surrounding seeming muffled.

2. Difficulty Understanding Speech Over The Phone

When having conversations over the phone in public or a noisy setting, it can seem natural to hear muffled voices rather than clear ones. However, if you suddenly find it difficult to follow conversations over the phone (even in quiet settings), you may be having issues with your hearing.

3. Turning Up The Volume

Do you find yourself turning up the volume on your headphones, the television or the radio more often than usual? Or maybe people around you have observed that you’re turning the volume up higher than usual. It may be a sign of sudden hearing loss.

How Does Hearing Loss Occur?

Like many medical conditions, hearing loss can occur due to a variety of reasons. For musicians, however, this condition occurs more commonly due to prolonged exposure to high volumes. That being said, there are a few other factors that may contribute to hearing loss.

• Injuries to the ear
• Genetics
• An individual’s susceptibility to noise
• Toluene and other organic liquid chemicals
• Medication
• Chronic conditions (like diabetes and high blood pressure)

Can You Play Music After Suffering From Hearing Loss?

Yes! You can continue to play and enjoy music, even after suffering from hearing loss. Musician Stu Nunnery suffered the same fate in 1978 when he suddenly discovered that he had severe hearing loss in one ear.

Initially, he felt desolate about the situation and spent about 30 years of his life without music. However, he found his way back to his piano and singing when he discovered hearing aids.

A similar story is that of Rick Ledbetter, a professional bass player. In 1989, during a recording session, an engineer observed that Rick had the volume of his headphones very high. He suggested that Rick get his hearing tested, which he did.

Rick described grimly how his worst nightmare came true – he was increasingly losing his ability to hear. Following everyday conversations became a chore, and he was losing hope ever to be able to play the bass again.

Thanks to modern technology and advancements in hearing aid technology, Rick was able to programme his own hearing aids. These were designed to help him hear better, and the increased ability to hear also brought back his confidence – and he was soon back on stage.

What Do You Do If You Are Suffering From Hearing Loss?

It is imperative to visit an audiologist at the earliest. Communication is key, and you must describe your condition in detail to your doctor. The modern marvels of medicine and technology have made it possible to wear discreet hearing aids that are guaranteed to improve your quality of life.

Leading A Normal Life With Hearing Loss

Dealing with hearing loss is not easy! However, it doesn’t mean you need to give up on music.

With the right tools and guidance, it is possible to lead a normal life even if you have a hearing impairment. This is especially true for musicians, who are more likely to suffer from this condition.

So, don’t let your hearing condition stop you from playing music. Keep playing!