Research show that hearing loss can affect quality of life, including relationships, performance, productivity and self esteem. Denying you are experiencing some hearing impairment is not a solution for you or the people around you. Getting the right treatment in Australia is available.

The term "deaf" is used to describe a person who has approximately 90db or more in hearing loss or who cannot process speech from another person or persons, even with a hearing aid.

What To Do

If you think you have some form of hearing loss, book yourself in for a hearing test as soon as possible. Hearing is one of the 5 senses, if it suffers, you will most certainly suffer, as well as those around you. Loss of hearing, on average is 1 of the most common conditions affecting older adults.You can also try our online hearing tests. This includes 2 tests, the first of which helps you build a type of audiogram the second reads numbers which you are required to type in, the accuracy of which determines how many cycles you go through. Both require good equipment and a quiet environment. If you however believe you are suffering from some form of hearing loss, no matter how mild we recommend you book and see a hearing professional to help you assess the cause, type and treatment, if any.

Gradual hearing loss from aging is common and around 25% of Australians over the age of 65 years old have some degree of hearing loss. This figure is even higher over the age of 75 years old. Hearing impairment develops as a result of years of wear and tear to the inner ear from noise, music, illness etc. Walking around with loud music playing through headphones is a sure way to increase the wear and tear on the ear and potentially affect hearing.

Chronic and long term exposure to loud noise including music is a key factor contributing to hearing loss. So if you are reading this and your hearing is still good, prevention is an option still available to you. Turn down your portable music device , IPod or MP3 Player and make sure music levels, work noise levels and other noise in your environment is reasonable at all times.

Ideally preventing hearing loss is the first choice. look after your hearing and you will potentially avoid this for longer. Ensure your children if you have any, are tested from newborn through to teenagers to ensure ensure any hearing issues are caught early and treated in the most appropriate manner for their age. Manage their music players where possible by putting password locks on maximum volumes. This may not win you parent of the year but rest assured their hearing and ears will suffer less.

Hearing technology has improved and developed in recent years, making hearing aids and other hearing wireless devices smaller, more efficient and easier to use. The are many makes and models of hearing aids available in Australia to fit all budgets. Not only size but also type. Common hearing aids now include the most common (BTE) Behind the ear, ITE (In the ear) and ITC (In the canal). Other devices include BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) and Cocklear.

Hearing Loss Causes

Causes of hearing loss include Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is generally a reduction in hearing ability and can be treated while Sensorineural hearing loss tends to be more serious and permanent. Audiologists are best suited to give you a hearing test, develop an audiogram, diagnose of your problem and then to assist in deciding the best course of treatment or rehabilitation, be that a hearing aid or other, and also to help set up and program if necessary the hearing device you have chosen.

A further form of hearing problem is Tinnitus. This is not so much hearing loss, but rather a ringing or other type noise in the ears. Similar to what you might hear after to listening to loud music a long time (Rock concert). You can read more about Tinnitus here.

Hearing Loss Treatment

Treatments include:

• Hearing aids, a tiny amplifier of sound that fits in or behind your ear
• Training which includes strategies for different situations
• Medicines, specific to your particular requirement
• Surgery, in specific instances

Once you have consulted your doctor or audiologist and they have completed their testing, they will be better equipped to assess the degree of loss, diagnose the cause and prescribe the best solution for you, your budget and your circumstances.

Watch the following video to learn about hearing loss and available treatments. This video was created by  ListenUp, a Canadian company and their chief Audiologist:

Factors To Consider

If you think you are suffering from some form of hearing loss, there are 3 key factors to consider:

• The cause or type of hearing loss you believe may be affecting you
• The degree to which your hearing has been affected, partial through to severe
• The hearing loss at individual frequency levels,i.e. what sounds can you no longer hear? How does this impact your everyday life?

How We Can Help You

• Whatever your hearing problem Freehearingtest.com.au can assist you to learn more, as well as find a hearing centre or specialist in your geographic region of Australia.
• Find out more about Audiologits, what they do and how they can help you.
• Find out more about the causes of hearing loss and how they affect you.
• Get more information on hearing loss prevention here, and watch the video.
• Find out about hearing rehabilitation.
• Read more about hearing loss in children.
• Understand more on hearing technology.