A little louder please

HEARING loss is when your ability to hear is reduced, making it more difficult for you to hear speech and all the other sounds in life you love.

The smooth sounds of your favourite crooner, Dan Andrew’s latest press conference and the sweet laughter of your grandchildren are all important sounds that we wish to hear to the fullest.

A loss of hearing can be caused by many factors, but age and exposure to loud noise are the most common causes.

The incidence of hearing loss increases as we get older. Over half the population aged between 60 and 70 have a hearing loss. This increases to more than 70 per cent of those over the age of 70, and 80 per cent of those over the age of 80.

“As rule of thumb it’s a good idea to get your hearing checked every two years or in between times if you notice a significant change in your hearing,” Hearing Australia principal audiologist, Emma Scanlan, said.

“Many people wait 7-10 years after they first notice a hearing problem to get their hearing checked and during this time might start to avoid occasions or situations that they previously enjoyed. The earlier you do something about it, the sooner you can start to benefit from receiving hearing help and can continue to enjoy the sounds you love.”

It’s important to keep on top of hearing checks, and keep an eye (or ear) out for signs of hearing loss.
Signs of hearing loss include:
•     Asking people to repeat themselves
•     Your family complaining the TV volume is up too loud
•     A ringing or buzzing sound in your ears
•     Straining to hear in many situations
•     Missing out on everyday sounds