Hearing Loss
Hearing Aids in Cambridge
Hearing and Signs of Hearing Loss
Our hearing ability relies on the effectiveness of the auditory system to process and identify a variety of sounds.From the external pinna or ear itself, to the eardrum and further in to the cochlea and auditory nerves, all these features form the way the ears and brain process the sounds that we hear.
Hearing loss or impairment is when the ears and/or brain can no longer process sound inputs at the normal expected level. This is when understanding speech in noise or hearing birdsong as just two examples become a frustrating problem to the sufferer.
Audiometry is the testing of hearing to determine how much and what type of loss is present. Some losses can be rectified by surgery if appropriate, as in the case of some conductive hearing losses. Others such as sensorineural losses where the nerves and cochlea may be damaged or ageing can not be returned to their normal levels of function.
You may recognise signs of hearing loss in someone you know or even yourself, from the list detailed below:
It seems that other people have started to mumble.
Words and sentences often have to be repeated or don't make sense.
Friends and family think the television or music is too loud.
There is difficulty in understanding what is being said in noisy or busy places.
There is difficulty hearing on the telephone.
It is hard to keep up with group conversation.
Isolation or reluctance to participate in activites or family gatherings.
Familiar sounds such as clock ticking or bird song are no longer heard.
