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According to senior audiologist at Victorian Hearing, Nicole Bowden, hearing and quality of life are closely linked.
“Hearing loss impacts on our social, emotional, psychological and physical well being,” Ms Bowden said.
“People with hearing impairment can experience embarrassment, loss of confidence, irritability and anger, depression, feelings of being ignored, dependence on others, withdrawal, isolation and loneliness, and tiredness,”
“These effects mean hearing loss can place a very real strain on relationships and employment,” she said.
Despite the fact that deafness can be socially isolating, it can take 7-15 years for people who clearly have hearing loss to get tested.
A key reason for those long years in denial about deafness is the stigma of hearing loss. Advances in technology have changed the lives of those who have hearing impairments with smaller, easier to use, clearer, smarter hearing aids and devices.
The key is to recognise hearing loss early.
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This is where Shire Hearing Centres come in. Their team is passionate about helping those whose lives have been affected by hearing difficulties.
Some of the early warning signs of hearing loss are: you need to turn the TV up louder than others, you think people mumble, you find it hard to hear in noisy situations or groups of people, you can hear but not understand and you don’t always hear the doorbell or phone.
One in six Australians are hearing impaired, deaf or have an ear disorder.
Some people are born with a hearing loss, while others may develop it as they get older. Most commonly, hearing loss happens with age or is caused by exposure to loud noise.
“Thirty-seven per cent of hearing loss is due to noise injury, which could have been prevented,” Ms Bowden said.
Shire Hearing Centres provide Free Hearing Clinic days (5 Minute Hearing Check with no appointment necessary).
They offer comprehensive Hearing Assessments for adults, seniors and children as well as hearing and assistive listening device advice, sales and maintenance and ongoing Rehabilitation and Care Programs, free device trial, education and information sessions and services.
They also offer services hearing services for patients undergoing chemotherapy, who have cardiovascular disease, diabetes or Meniere’s Disease.
If you think you or a family member may have a hearing problem, contact the team at Shire Hearing Centres.
Tackling the problem early can improve both your hearing and your quality of life.
Source: healthshare.com.au and hearingawareness week.org.au and Shire Hearing Centres.