Hearing tests are usually administered to evaluate the sensitivity of hearing of a person experiencing hearing problems, someone who already suffers from a hearing impairment, or as a routine check of an infant or young child’s development. What is essentially tested is the patient’s ability to hear by measuring the ability of sound reaching the brain.

People hear vibrations that produce sound waves. The sound waves vibrate at various frequencies and even height or amplitude. The speed of the sound wave subsequently determines its pitch from low to high while the sound’s amplitude is its loudness or volume.

These waves travel through our ears and in turn, become nerve impulses that go to the brain. The brain then “hears” them.

A painless procedure, a hearing test can actually be a number of different tests that check how well both ears are functioning and their ability to detect the various levels of sound we come across every day.

Two tests for infants, for example, are OAE or otoacoustic emissions test and ABR or auditory brainstem response test.

Meanwhile, adults who are experiencing hearing problems will be tested with an audiometer conducted by an audiologist or licensed hearing aid specialist. The patient will sit in a sound proof booth. Using headphones, they will “hear” different frequencies and volumes in each ear independently. The audiologist will then plot out an audiogram so the test will reveal which frequencies we hear normally are not being picked up.

For more information regarding hearing loss, contact your nearest hearing centre today and arrange a consultation.

Hearing, even in children’s formative years, is vital to the foundations of language and socialisation they will rely on for a lifetime. New technologies in a mainstream classroom setting can facilitate the education of students with hearing loss much more significantly than could have been done in the past. Whereas interpreters were necessary for hearing impaired children to benefit in a classroom or hearing aids, nowadays, many more new technologies have hit the classroom to help a hearing impaired student’s education.

The Assistive Listening System, for example, is a microphone-equipped device teachers can use to speak to the hearing impaired student, making the instructor’s voice clearer and cutting down often distracting background noises.

Another form of Assistive Listening System is an FM transmitter that does the same thing but can tap into the student’s hearing aid directly.

Meanwhile, several speech-to-text systems have been developed that seamlessly converts language to written text, creating a simple transcript of the lessons the hearing impaired student can access immediately.

Emails have also been used to facilitate student-to-student interactions. In addition, instructional videos are being used in science labs for hearing impaired students to more easily learn from. Overhead visuals have also been an effective way to complement learning for everyone in the classroom.

As for computer use, auditory warnings can be replaced by visual signals and alerts. The same goes for emergency warnings like fire alarms.

As we can see, technology has greatly enhanced the learning environment of the classroom, enrichening the further education of hearing impaired students.

For more information regarding new technologies to help hearing impaired students, contact your nearest hearing centre today and arrange a consultation.

16,500 Australian workers filed and won their claims of permanent hearing loss due to their work environment. Hearing aids are but one measure your physician might suggest. However, although hearing loss is a common problem worldwide, 80% of sufferers avoid even the suggestion of using a hearing aid because of embarrassment and the added expense, even if hearing aids can provide them some measure of relief from even larger embarrassing situations during social and work situations, including some documented cases that unaddressed hearing loss leads to health-threatening depression and anxiety. Moreover, despite the hard facts, only one out of five people suffering from diminished hearing actually opts for hearing aids.

Although hearing aids were once expensive and difficult to find (you won’t find one at your local drug store), they are becoming more accessible nowadays. However, you should contact your nearest hearing centre first to determine whether the hearing loss originates from a medical condition like acoustical nerve tumors or even excessive earwax.

Therefore, before shopping for a hearing aid, get a hearing test, consult a physician, and then if it is determined a hearing aid is needed, research hearing aid manufacturers.

A hearing aid dispenser is a trained audiologist or someone who specializes and sells listening devices like hearing aids. Do not feel pressured to rush into buying one. Usually, it is best to check out a couple of “audiologists” before selecting who to go with.

In addition, make sure the audiologist offers a broad variety of products from different manufacturers. This will give you with options to fit your specific needs.

Furthermore, you should also inquire about a trial period to test the hearing aid. You should also test several products to see which one best works for you and your lifestyle. Many manufacturers allow a trial or return policy of 60 to 90 days without cost to the dispenser.

Since the first three years of our life are so imperative to developing normal speech and what’s more, develop language, any hearing loss in infants must be quickly identified and treated. However, early identification of hearing loss in infants requires not only a comprehensive medical examination by a physician but also a hearing test. Moreover, the parents of the infant must carefully observe him or her for signs of hearing loss. What’s more, both physicians and parents must go through a complete review of the child’s case history, including high risk factors that can result in hearing loss.

High risk factors include:

From birth to a month: Rh incompatibility, the mother having rubella during pregnancy, ear, throat, and nose malformations, a history of hearing loss in the family, low birth weight (such as under 3.3 pounds), severe neonatal infections, and meningitis.

From the child’s first month to two years of age, any exposure to the following high risk factors can also result in hearing loss: meningitis, head trauma, neonatal risk factors, neurodegenerative disorders, ad childhood infectious diseases like mumps and measles.

Some signs to observe for possible hearing loss in your infant or child include: having to raise your voice to get their attention, inconsistent response to sound (sometimes hearing it and sometimes not), having to repeat yourself to the child when speaking, the child looking at your face carefully, the infant turning its ear so that it faces the source of sound, the child’s speech is poor compared to the standard of a child his/her age.

Even a baby can undergo a hearing test no matter how young. The earlier hearing loss is discovered in children the better his/her chances are to be helped.

Should you suspect that your child might be suffering from hearing loss, inform your child’s paediatrician or contact your nearest hearing centre so they can do a thorough exam and if needed, refer you to a specialist.

From interacting with co-workers during meetings at work to catching up with your spouse and kids at home, hearing loss, whatever degree, does indeed negatively impact your day-to-day relationships, business and social interactions.

If you are curious how a conversation “sounds” to the hearing impaired, check out this video:

Frustrating, isn’t it? Unfortunately, almost 50% of adults affected by hearing loss suffer what you just experienced above and do not seek treatment for it. On the other side of the equation, 23% of adults (or one in four adults) have a spouse or significant other who suffers from some degree of hearing loss. In the United States 27 million adults suffering from hearing loss blame their hearing disability as the Number One cause of their relationship problems, closely trailed by problems with their friends, family, and co-workers.

What’s more, imagine being on the other side and attempting to communicate with someone with hearing loss. It is not easy either with 32% of adults saying they get frustrated and annoyed with what they perceive to be a total lack of attention, 18% feeling just plain ignored, and 23% even feeling full-on grief.

Since successful relationships are based on the ability to effectively communicate not only emotionally but verbally, hearing loss can become a significant problem that, according to some studies, can even lead to divorce. Of 1,000 patients suffering from deafness, a huge one third confess their disability has, in fact, resulted in major, heartbreaking arguments. Furthermore, one in sixteen even had their partners threaten to leave or divorce them if they did not have a hearing test or seek treatment.

If you think your hearing needs to be checked, contact your nearest hearing centre today.

Hearing disability in older Australians affects about 654,113 people age 55 and above, who have reported difficulty in communicating (71%) and having to rely on hearing aids (60%) in their later years. Symptoms vary from small, not hearing certain sounds, to extreme, being clinically deaf.

Unfortunately, hearing loss can be attributed to ageing as we miss out on some high frequencies as we get older. However, it might not be so severe until we start to miss out on speech frequencies as well.

The relationship between aging and hearing loss was originally thought to be merely a result of age, with our ears wearing down in functionality just like our reflexes might be as we get older. The medical community even had its own special term for it—“presbycusis.”

On the contrary, hearing loss in older people also has a cultural aspect to it as some cultures seem to be immune to hearing loss as their people get older. It seems to be an epidemic only in Australia, the United States, and other so-called “modern societies.” In fact, the term “sociocusis” is an apt description for maladies due to living in a technologically advanced culture.

The first cultural culprit in hearing loss in our latter years is the volume of noise we live with. Our daily life is just too loud. Everything from household appliances like vacuum cleaners to lawnmowers carrying out our weekend chores contributes to the accumulation of detrimental effects. Even the traffic outside our car while navigating the streets has an adverse effect on our hearing. Last but not least are our own deafening habits of playing the television and stereo a little too loud. Certainly, our iPods also contribute!

In addition, our modern day high stress levels also can contribute to the resulting damage as the hair-like cochlea need a steady supply of nutrients carried in our blood to stay healthy. However, stress reduces the amount of blood it can receive.

On the other hand, another perspective on hearing loss and aging is that our ears are not getting weaker; our brains are merely getting older. As a result, the information our ears do receive is more difficult to process. If you are concerned about your hearing, contact your nearest hearing centre to arrange a free hearing test today.

Noise-induced hearing loss in the work environment is also called “occupational noise-induced hearing loss.” (ONIHL) poses a major crisis among the Australian workforce with almost 16,500 workers successfully receiving compensation from 2002-2007 for industrial deafness, permanent hearing loss caused by noise in the work environment. Furthermore, the problem is not only financial but also linked to hypertension, depression, and even job dissatisfaction when hearing loss affects the workers ability to communicate and socialise normally.

Unfortunately, the size of a business can even affect what changes in noise levels or hearing protection can be effectively addressed in the workplace. For example, most small-to-medium-sized businesses are most likely to not address effective noise control at all. This is due in a large part to lack of awareness of the effects of loud noises on hearing as well as the negative effects of hearing loss on quality of living. To a lesser extent, small-to-medium-sized businesses also fear efforts for noise control will be outside their budget, and many work cultures are resistant to adapt to needed changes. On the other hand, large businesses seem to enforce noise control more effectively.

It is paramount that employees and businesses to know that once hearing is damaged, it will not return. Since the inner ear does not feel sharp pain, there is usually no warning if the danger of hearing loss is present. In fact, loud noises, especially loud bangs, 130 decibels or more, are even more damaging than continuous noise. However, the length of time you are exposed to noise 90 decibels or more can also cause hearing damage much like exposure to the sun damages the skin.

The best way to approach your concerns about noise-induced hearing loss in your workplace is to discuss it with your boss or human resources department as it is your employer’s responsibility to ensure its employees’ safety. Other things you can do to protect yourself include protecting your ears with ear plugs or ear muffs, if you cannot avoid loud sound. Cotton balls and tissue paper will not protect you sufficiently. What’s more, even in regards to loud music on your iPod or stereo, give you ears a regular rest from noise.

If you are concerned your own environment might be high-risk, consult your workplace or book yourself an appoint at a hearing centre today.

22 % of adults in Australia suffer a considerable level of hearing loss. What’s more, it has negative effects on their quality of life both at home and at work.

For example, individuals with hearing loss might be perceived as inattentive because they don’t tune in and respond normally when spoken to. They might also turn up the TV volume a little louder than normal. In addition, family and friends might criticise that they take too long picking up the phone. They could also have the habit of constantly asking people to repeat what they said.

As a result of the symptoms above, they may avoid social situations like parties or be uncharacteristically withdrawn at work meetings because they are afraid a misunderstanding might happen or that they will appear stupid or silly. Furthermore, in more excessive cases, individuals suffering from hearing loss might even suffer from self-esteem problems and self-confidence issues due to their inability to communicate with others.

Therefore, the three major ways hearing loss can affect your life negatively are:

• A decrease in your opportunities (jobs and education) due to your inability to communicate properly. This includes affecting job performance and even lower salaries as a result, leading to less retirement income and investment savings.
• Distancing yourself from other people and social situations to avoid embarrassment from your disability
• Severe emotional issues and a complete shift in personality due to lack of self-esteem and confidence in yourself as a result of your hearing loss.

Yes, overall, hearing loss, whether due to medication, diseases, or even age, can become depressing, annoying, frustrating, and most of all, isolating. Severe cases of individuals with hearing loss might require treatment for anxiety and depression as well as the patients becomes unresponsive and difficult to communicate with. However, hearing loss is also preventable and can be treated in many ways depending on severity. Contact your nearest hearing centre today.

The human ear can hear sounds as faint as 0 decibels (decibels being the standard measure for the intensity of sound). On the other, humans have also heard sounds as loud as 180 decibels such as the noise during a rocket launch. However, on a daily basis, we are surrounded by noises like conversations at the water cooler at the office (clocking in at 60 decibels), the neighbour mowing his lawn (an astounding 90 decibels), and listening to music on you iPod (at whopping 115 decibels). However, did you know that experts nowadays label anything over 85 decibels as harmful to our ears especially if we are exposed on a regular basis?

Better turn down that iPod and tell your neighbour to take a break on Sunday chores! Yes, unfortunately, as we can see, we are exposed to harmful noises on a daily basis. However, exactly how loud is too loud? More to the point, when is noise truly harmful to our health?

Human beings are each one-of-a-kind even when it comes to noise sensitivity. On the other hand, if we suffer the following symptoms, it most likely means the noise is affecting our health negatively:  our ears are in physical pain (big give away), our ears are ringing, we suffer from noticeable hearing loss, and we have to continually shout out over noise to be heard.

Don’t be fooled, our sensitivity to noise does not grow resistant over time. In fact, constant exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can eventually lead to hearing loss over time. As a result, even workplaces where loud noise is significant  are taking measures to reduce on-the-job noise exposure, including administering annual hearing tests, for jobs where individuals are exposed to 85 decibels or more of noise during their 8-hour day (such as industrial workplaces). While reducing the noise levels has been prohibitive, hearing protectors are also being provided nowadays at high-risk workplaces like earplugs and earmuffs.

Finally, if you are concerned your own environment might be high-risk, consult your workplace or book yourself an appoint at a hearing centre today.

Even kids with hearing loss in one ear can go through overwhelming challenges in their early academic life since hearing loss can significantly impair their ability to understand language and speak. As a result, hearing loss in kids can hurt

• vital cognitive development
• emotional development
• social development

in just their first few years. Surprisingly, it was formerly believed by doctors and educators that kids with at least one normal hearing ear could do just fine.  On the contrary, it is now widely accepted that hearing loss in kids, even partial, is a considerable learning disability compared to kids with two normal hearing ears.

Yet kids with partial hearing loss (one ear) often go undiagnosed since they can seem to cope normally, labelled as merely suffering from the inability to pay attention or just being selective as to what they choose to focus on. This hearing loss in kids can be the result of congenital problems, head trauma, and even due childhood infection like meningitis. In fact, out of 1,000 kids, it is highly likely that at least one out of three will be affected by hearing loss.

Furthermore, conditions that can put some kids at a higher risk for hearing loss include premature birth, neonatal intensive care unit stay in their past, transfusions due to high bilirubin, medications that can contribute to hearing loss, and early exposure to loud noises even for a short time.

Subsequently, some common signs your child might suffer from hearing loss can be identified even when they are babies, including

• being unresponsive to loud noises
• inability to recognise their parents’ voices (even at 3 months)
• not turning their heads towards sound
• poor imitation of simple words like “Dada” and “Mama.”

However, problems with hearing loss are also now seeing an increase among teens as well, as much as one in five teens affected by hearing loss. Again, while the hearing loss is mostly characterized as slight, it still poses a serious learning disability in these most formative of years. Even mild hearing loss can also interfere with speech, language, social and emotional development, and severely weakens school performance during adolescence.

Among teens, the causes for hearing loss are dominantly due to modern lifestyle quirks such as loud music and the other excessive noise exposure common today.

In response to these modern lifestyle quirks, the simple turning down of stereo and especially iPod volume levels can go a long way to saving your teen’s hearing. Furthermore, parents are encouraged to ask their teens to observe at least 10 minutes of silence for every hour listening to loud music, TV, and video games.

In both cases of hearing loss in kids and teens, early detection through a free hearing test, such as those provided free by hearing centres in Australia, are instrumental  in identifying then treating even partial hearing loss, which as we can see above is detrimental at any age.