Don’t miss out because of hearing loss!
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) estimates that more than 12 million people in the UK have hearing loss. This equates to approximately one in three adults. Whilst hearing loss commonly gets worse with age, doing what you can to protect it throughout your life is important. Noisy workplaces can be a real hazard, not to mention listening to loud music or podcasts using earphones or earplugs.
Difficult communications
The effects of hearing loss are well documented. Not only will communications with family, friends and colleagues suffer, which can lead to misunderstanding, frustration, fear of missing out, depression, social isolation and loneliness, but there is also likely to be fall in self-esteem and confidence, and then there is that recently proven link between hearing loss and dementia. Professor Kevin Munro and Professor Harvey Dillon from the University of Manchester successfully proved that people who actively use hearing aids to manage their hearing loss are less likely to develop dementia.*
*https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/20-of-people-with-hearing-aids-do-not-use-them/
Our most important sense
Hearing is one of our most important senses. When you are young (hearing is at its peak between the ages of 18 to 25), you take good hearing for granted. You think nothing about how your ears seamlessly connect you to people, enabling you to communicate in a way that none of your other senses can achieve. In fact the benefits of good hearing are endless. Everything from being able to answer and talk on the phone, hear the tv, know someone is at the door, respond to an alarm, understand what people are saying and react correctly, enjoy the cinema/theatre or have fun in pubs/restaurants and parties. And as for hearing a pin drop… well maybe not, but young ears are very receptive to all kinds of noises, especially the quiet ones.
Better hearing can help you stay young
Being able to communicate easily with people in your life – including family, friends, neighbours, business colleagues and others – can make life less stressful. As humans, regular social interaction is essential. Not only when it comes to improving your sense of belonging, but it can also help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, depression, and other emotional, behavioural and biological deteriorations.
You will want to remain independent as long as possible. But as you age, you may need to rely more on others. Having better hearing means you will be able to easily reach out to people by phone or in person when needed. You will also feel more comfortable going to a pub, restaurant, cinema, lecture or show enabling you to fully participate in the community around you.
Manage hearing loss
Hearing loss can have a significant impact on your quality of life. But there are ways to cope so you can minimise its effects:
Tell people that you have a hearing problem.
Ask people to face you, speak more clearly and slowly, and repeat themselves.
Position yourself between the speaker and any sources of noise.
Look for facial expressions, gestures and other visual cues.
Reduce background noise by finding a quieter place to talk.
And last but not least. Get a hearing test.
David Peel, Hearing Aid Audiologist at Banbury’s largest independent hearing aid provider, The Sense of Hearing said. “Having a thorough hearing check and review with a qualified hearing aid audiologist is critical if you’re going to make the most of your hearing as you age. Also of importance is having access to dedicated help, support and care, so you can get used to your new hearing devices.
“Whilst it’s not possible to have the same hearing that you enjoyed when you were in your teens or twenties, by making use of the hearing you have, you will be able to live a happy and healthy life. For many people, hearing aids can be the answer. That’s because they can make conservations easier to hear, whilst also blocking out unhelpful background noise.”
If you think you have any symptoms of hearing loss, don’t wait. The quicker you’re diagnosed, the sooner you can take steps to protect your hearing.
