Making Conversation Easier for People with Hearing Loss

If someone you love is suffering from hearing loss, simple conversations and daily experiences can be difficult for them. You can reduce some of this frustration by following these simple tips when you engage in conversation with someone who is hard of hearing. Health and Hearing is exploring a few ways that you can make conversation easier for people with hearing loss.

  It Takes a While to Get Used to Hearing Aids

If your friend or family member has recently had hearing aids fitted, it may take them a while to feel comfortable while using them. The connection between hearing loss and communication can often lead to feelings of loneliness and depression for the sufferer; however, you can lessen these risks by following our guide below.

How to communicate with hearing-impaired patients involves:

Facing them directly – stand at the same level as them and preferably stand in spaces with good lighting

Not talking from another room – it’s important that the patient can see you so that they can understand you

Speaking clearly, slowly, distinctly and naturally – do not shout or exaggerate your mouth movements as this can distort the sound

Getting their attention – say their name before starting a conversation so that they have a chance to focus their attention and they won’t miss the start of what you have to say

Not speaking quickly or in complex sentences – slow down when you speak, pause between sentences and ensure they have understood before continuing

Keeping your mouth and face clear – keep your hands away from your face and avoid chewing, smoking or eating while talking

Remembering their preferred side – if one ear has less damage than the other, remember which side this is and position yourself accordingly

Minimising background noise – most hearing-impaired people have great difficulty understanding speech when there is background noise

Avoiding sudden changes in topic – make sure the listener is aware of the general topic of understanding so that they can create mental bridges in places they may have missed

Asking them to repeat back to you – if the conversation involves important information such as dates or times, ask them to repeat the specifics back to you

Giving important information in writing – this will give them a reference point to look back at

Taking turns while speaking – avoid interrupting other speakers or talking over the top of each other

  Certain Things to Remember

Everyone, especially hearing impaired people, has a harder time understanding and hearing when they are ill or tired. Make concessions for your loved ones by paying attention to their cues – if they look puzzled, repeat yourself or ask leading questions to ensure they understood.

  Book a Hearing Test for Your Loved One

If you’re concerned about your loved one’s hearing or if it seems to be worsening, book a thorough hearing test with Health and Hearing. Effective hearing aids can transform a person’s life and make conversations so much simpler. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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Which Jobs Are Most Likely to Cause Hearing Loss?

For many people, dangerous levels of noise pollution are a daily part of their working lives. High-risk environments can cause irreversible damage to your hearing, so it’s important to take preventative measures wherever possible. In this article, Health and Hearing is exploring the top 20 jobs that cause hearing loss in Australia.

  What Makes a Workplace Too Loud?

Research has shown that regular exposure to sounds above 85 decibels (dB) will cause gradual and irreversible hearing loss. The tiny hair cells in your ear canal that send electrical signals to the brain can be damaged by long-term exposure to loud or high-impact noises. Short bursts of sounds above 115 decibels can quickly damage your hearing.

  The Top 20 Jobs with Noise Pollution

Some of the occupations on this list may seem obvious; however, there are many here that may surprise you. Occupational hearing damage doesn’t discriminate between natural and mechanical noises, and it has been found that most of the damage occurs within the first 5 to 10 years in a loud occupation.

Airline ground staff – this includes baggage handlers and ground control

Construction workers – bulldozers, jackhammers and trucks backing up can bring noise levels to over 120dB

Miners – the equipment used in mining creates high levels of sound pollution

Carpenters – sawing equipment and nail guns can create between 110-130dB of noise

Lumberjacks – chainsaws run at 120dB and above

DJs and Musicians – loud venues, speakers and amplifiers expose the ear to above 115dB of sound

Bar staff in nightclubs – bartenders, wait staff, security and glassies all listen to ear-piercingly loud music for long periods of time

Railway workers – trains create huge levels of sound that workers are constantly exposed to

Farmers – loud machinery, tractors and rotary cutters are just some of the equipment that can damage a farmer’s hearing

Race car drivers – in NASCAR and Formula 1 events, sounds can reach 135dB

Truck drivers – the constant running of trucks mixed with poor road conditions and congested traffic can cause damage

Subway conductors – trains enter and leave the station at over 100dB and older tracks cause a high-pitch screeching sound

Garbage collectors – garbage trucks can create between 85 and 100dB of sound, and this noise is constant over long shifts

Gardeners – anyone who works in landscaping needs to use mowers, whipper snippers and power tools that run over 90dB

Firefighters – fire alarms and sirens can reach 90dB

Ambulance drivers – similar to firefighters, these emergency responders listen to sirens for long periods of time

Military personnel – gunfire, aircraft, ships, explosions, drill-bells and shouting can cause irreversible hearing loss

Nursery school teachers – classes of 30 children can be extremely noisy, and an 8-hour workday counts as high exposure

Blacksmiths and welders – smithing and metalworking involves grinding and clanging metal and this can reach over 100dB

Couriers – riding a motorcycle while delivering packages can cause hearing loss due to long periods of exposure and starting and stopping

  Book a Hearing Test to Assess the Damage

It’s never too late to take preventative measures (link to page 7) and seek treatment for your hearing loss. Wear earplugs and earmuffs at work and speak to your boss about your concerns. If you believe you are suffering from hearing loss, book a hearing test with the team at Health and Hearing in Brisbane.

We will help you find the right hearing aids for your needs, preventing your condition from worsening as your career progresses. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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Do You Have High-Frequency Hearing Loss?

An extremely common form of hearing loss is known as high-frequency hearing loss. People who suffer from this condition find it difficult to hear high-pitch sounds which can be frustrating as it affects their daily lives. In this article, we’re exploring the causes, symptoms and treatments of high-frequency hearing loss.

  The Symptoms of High-Frequency Hearing Loss

High-frequency hearing loss makes it difficult to hear certain sounds and speech patterns, making conversations seem muffled. This is especially prevalent when talking on the phone, watching television or sitting in a noisy environment. Many patients with high-frequency hearing loss say that they can hear sounds but struggle to understand them.

The symptoms of high-frequency hearing loss include:

Struggling to understand women and children when they speak

Not hearing birds chirping outside

Words that start or end with s, h, f or th are harder to hear

Feeling like you can hear but cannot understand

  What Causes High-Frequency Hearing Loss?

High-frequency hearing loss occurs when the tiny hairs in your cochlea are damaged. These hairs are responsible for translating the sounds your ear collects and turning them into electrical signals that the brain interprets as intelligible noises. Damage to the hair cells is irreversible so preventing further destruction (link to page 7) is an important part of treatment.

There is no specific age group that is more commonly affected by high-frequency hearing loss than others. It can occur at any age from a huge range of causes.

  Age-Related Hearing Loss

Known as presbycusis, age-related hearing loss is a slow process that typically affects both ears in equal measures. One of the first signs of presbycusis is difficulty understanding people speaking when there is any background noise in the environment.

  Over-Exposure to Loud Noises

Noise-induced hearing loss is highly common among people of all ages. Damage can occur due to one event, such as a gunshot or explosion, or it can occur gradually from exposure to sounds over 85 decibels. This is often caused by loud music (link to page 2) or working environments.

  Genetic Predispositions

If hearing loss is in your family history, there is a chance you will be genetically predisposed to developing it as well. It’s important to check your family history of hearing loss so you can be cautious and take preventative measures in loud environments.

  Medications

There are many medications that are ototoxic, meaning they cause damage to your hearing. Aspirin is the most common culprit, followed by some antidepressants, antibiotics and chemotherapy treatments.

  Treating High-Frequency Hearing Loss

The first step towards treatment is booking a thorough hearing test with a hearing specialsit such as Health and Hearing. Although high-frequency hearing loss is usually irreversible, hearing aids have proven to work extremely well in minimising the symptoms.

Your audiologist in Brisbane will record the extent of your hearing loss and make recommendations for hearing aids that will best suit your condition. Wearing hearing aids will make your daily life more comfortable, and they can even prevent further damage from strain. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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Wearing Hearing Aids by Day Keeps Dementia Away

A recent study from the University of Manchester has linked the progression of dementia with perception and comprehension issues caused by hearing loss. The results have shown that wearing hearing aids can dramatically slow down the progression of dementia. In this article, Health and Hearing is summarising the recent data and exploring your options in hearing aids.

  How Does Hearing Impact Cognition?

There are many ways that hearing loss can cause issues with cognition and memory. Firstly, when you need to strain to hear, you aren’t able to assign your cognitive resources to other tasks at the same time. When the brain slows down and limits how much stimulus it pays attention to, certain mental sections can lose valuable training time.

Hearing impairments have also been found to lead to social isolation, depression and reduced self-efficacy. These isolating scenarios can lead to reduced cognitive performance over time, increasing your risk of dementia.

  How Does Cognition Impact Hearing?

Hearing can be taxing on your cognition. It takes high levels of focus to sustain attention on particular sounds without being distracted by other noises. The brain is constantly updating information and creating links that form memories. Because of this strain, people may seem to have poor hearing when their difficulties are actually due to cognitive impairment.

Even though the research into hearing impairment and dementia has been inconclusive, there is evidence that common factors cause both hearing loss and dementia. In this way, treating one condition may improve the other.

  Hearing Aids as a Treatment Option

The benefits of treating hearing impairments on reducing the progression of dementia do not necessarily need to be significant in clinical studies to be worth pursuing. Hearing impairment is highly prevalent, meaning small gains in reducing the risk of dementia could potentially translate to a substantial reduction in the overall amount of people with dementia.

Hearing aids may reduce the risk of dementia by reducing the decline in cognition. Dementia is defined as a functional and cognitive impairment that impacts the patient’s daily life. Hearing impairments may exacerbate the impact of cognitive decline, and hearing aids have proven very effective in reducing these impairments.

  Finding the Right Hearing Aids for Your Condition

There’s nothing to lose from a hearing test and everything to gain. If you’ve found that your hearing loss is impacting your daily life and the way you respond to cognitive challenges, hearing aids could be a brilliant tool to improve your life. Health and Hearing specialises in hearing aids for elderly with dementia.

Book a hearing test with the team at Health and Hearing in Brisbane to discover your many options in hearing aids and potentially reduce your risk of dementia in the future. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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How To Enjoy Music Without Harming Your Hearing

We all love listening to music, but it’s important to make sure you aren’t harming your hearing in the process. In this article, Health and Hearing is giving you advice on protecting your hearing while you listen to music.

  Can Concerts Cause Hearing Loss?

Hearing problems are common for people who regularly attend festivals and concerts where the sound levels are consistently high. Long exposure to sounds over 85 decibels can cause noise-induced hearing loss, and many concerts tend to be 115 decibels or more.

Constant loud sound wears down your ears and damages the cochlea. Over time, the cochlea stops processing pitch and volume, and hearing fades. The best way to maintain your current level of hearing is through preventative tactics. While at a concert, wear hearing protection and stay at a safe distance from the speakers.

  Hearing Loss from Earbuds and Headphones

Most people listen to music from their phones through earbuds or headphones. Unfortunately, the standard earbuds that come with devices aren’t designed to sit perfectly in the ear, meaning they let in a lot of external noises. To combat this, people tend to turn the volume all the way up and this can damage your ears.

Test out headphones and earbuds to ensure they fit correctly and isolate sound. A good rule of thumb is to play music at 60% of the possible volume on your phone, and that way you won’t be exposing your ears to over 80 decibels for long periods of time.

  Tips for Listening to Music without Damaging Your Ears

The main advice that we can offer people is to limit how often you listen to music through earbuds and headphones. The World Health Organisation recommends that you only listen to music for one hour per day on your smartphone. Your ears need rest and recovery to protect them against permanent damage.

Another option is to invest in supra-aural earphones that sit on your ear rather than inside of them as earbuds do. Supra-aural earphones don’t send vibrations directly to your eardrum, preventing damage to your hearing from constant use.

  Book a Hearing Test Today

To establish whether or not you have already caused damage to your eardrums from listening to loud music, book a hearing test with Health and Hearing in Brisbane. We can help you understand your current needs so you know how careful you need to be in the future. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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How Issues in Your Cervical Spine Can Cause Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Hearing loss isn’t unusual for patients with cervical spine issues and damage. Studies have shown a link between head and neck injuries and tinnitus; however, the good news is that most of these problems can be treated. In this article, Health and Hearing is taking a closer look at the link between cervical spine problems and hearing loss.

  Understanding the Cervical Spine and Hearing Loss

The neck consists of seven vertebrae, and the most common area for spinal injuries is the lumbar area. Studies have shown that abnormalities to the cervical spine, especially in the upper cervical spine, can affect the arteries and nerves connected to the ears, disturbing their functions in certain ways. For example, 60% of patients with cervical rheumatoid arthritis suffer from hearing problems.

Common causes of cervical injury include:

Sudden trauma from accidents, sports injuries or falls

Compression fractures from osteoporosis

Arthritis

Cancer

Inflammation of the spinal cord

Commonly, the earliest symptom of cervical spine injuries is movement limitation. Recent studies have shown that the gradual degradation of the intervertebral disk and articular cartilage causes problems with the spinal nerves. Over time, these problems will worsen and they can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus.

Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by inflamed blood vessels and nerves, ligament injuries, and damaged middle ear bones caused by untreated cervical spine damage.

  Tinnitus Caused by Cervical Spine Issues

Tinnitus is a physical condition that causes ringing or noises in the ears when there is no external source of the sound. Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease, and it usually goes hand in hand with an additional medical issue.

More than one in ten people who suffer from chronic tinnitus can blame their problem on a neck or head injury. Chronic tinnitus can cause awful discomfort; however, it tends to lessen or disappear once the root cause of the issue has been treated.

Tinnitus caused by a head or neck injury tends to be harder to cope with than gradual tinnitus caused by other factors, meaning these patients are more likely to seek treatment sooner.

  Treating Cervical Spine Issues

Problems with hearing due to cervical spine issues can usually be treated by a chiropractor who will locate the spinal misalignments that affect the central nervous system. It’s important to understand the root cause of your issue before making any decisions about treatment.

The first step to treating your hearing loss or tinnitus is to book a hearing test with Health and Hearing in Brisbane. Our experienced specialists will determine the cause of your hearing problems and then make recommendations for the best treatment plan. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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How Do I Know If I Have Sensorineural or Conductive Hearing Loss?

There are many types, causes, symptoms and treatments for hearing loss. It can be difficult to understand what kind of hearing loss you are suffering from, which is why Health and Hearing is exploring the differences and treatments of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Book a hearing test to understand your condition and find the best treatment options.

  What Is the Difference between Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

The major difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss is how they can be treated, and if they can be treated. It’s important to understand the causes and obstacles of each condition before creating a treatment plan.

  Sensorineural Hearing Loss Causes and Treatments

Sensorineural hearing loss stems from either the hair cells of the inner ear (cochlea) or the nerve that runs from the cochlea to the brain. In some cases, it’s a mixture of both that cause the problems. This kind of hearing loss is permanent because it is impossible to return your natural hearing to its previous state.

The possible causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

Viral infections

Aging

Genetics

Some medications

Birth defects

Long-term noise exposure

At Health and Hearing, we treat sensorineural hearing loss with a range of high-tech hearing aids that are tailored to the patient’s individual needs.

  Conductive Hearing Loss Causes and Treatments

Conductive hearing loss stems from a physical issue, typically fluid, tissue or a bony growth that reduces or completely blocks incoming sounds. This blockage may involve the ear canal, the eardrum, the middle ear or the bones in the middle ear. The good news with conductive hearing loss is that it is usually temporary and can be corrected by fixing the cause.

The causes of conductive hearing loss include:

Fluid in the middle ear caused by allergies or sickness

Ear infections

Poor Eustachian tube function – this is the tube that connects the middle of the ear and the nose

Holes in the eardrum

Benign tumours

Earwax stuck in the ear canal

Swimmer’s ear

Birth defects that affect how the ear is formed

There are many treatments for conductive hearing loss, depending on what is causing the problem. An ENT or a physician may treat the problem with medication or surgery. If these treatments won’t work, the issue may be rectified with hearing aids.

  What Is Mixed Hearing Loss?

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss when it occurs in the same ear. Treating the conductive component first may alleviate the severity of the hearing loss but the sensorineural component will remain. The remaining issue will need to be treated with hearing aids.

  Book a Hearing Test Today

To establish the cause and potential treatments for your hearing loss, book a hearing test at a Health and Hearing clinic in Brisbane. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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Can Hearing Loss Cause Vertigo and Dizziness?

The human ear is an incredibly complex machine. The ear controls our hearing and our balance, and issues within the ear can cause serious problems with both of these crucial functions. Many people who suffer from hearing loss also experience dizziness and vertigo, so Health and Hearing is taking a closer look at the connection between these ailments.

  The Connection Between Our Ears and Dizziness

The part of the inner ear that is responsible for hearing is the cochlea. The cochlea lives within the same system as the organ that is responsible for our balance. Dizziness can occur from disturbances in the fluid within the inner ear. Physiological changes and pressure placed on the balance nerve can also cause dizziness.

  Understanding Vertigo and Its Causes

Vertigo is the dizziness caused by inner ear conditions. You may recognise the symptoms as a spinning or whirling sensation that is accompanied by light-headedness. These feelings may be constant or come and go, and they tend to worsen from sudden movements of the head.

Some patients experience vomiting and nausea as a result of their vertigo; however, when the problem is caused by the inner ear, a sufferer is unlikely to lose consciousness from the dizziness.

Speak to Health and Hearing if you experience regular:

Whirling or spinning

Disorientation

Unsteadiness in your balance

Light-headedness

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Loss of hearing

  Treating Dizziness and Tinnitus

Many inner ear problems can cause gradual or sudden tinnitus where the patient experiences a constant ringing or whooshing sound in their ears. Treatments for tinnitus need to be tailored to the individual because the symptoms present differently in each person.

Diagnosing dizziness, vertigo and tinnitus as symptoms of an inner ear complication involves a physical examination and a hearing test where you will listen to specific noises in one ear at a time. After indicating when you can hear the sound, your results will be compared against what is considered normal for your age. This is important in ruling out hidden medical conditions as the cause.

  The Benefits of Hearing Aids

A common cause of tinnitus, dizziness and vertigo is hearing loss. At Health and Hearing, we treat our patients by properly fitting hearing aids that are specifically tailored to their needs. Hearing aids work to reduce your symptoms and improve your hearing by taking away the strain you feel while listening to certain sounds.

To diagnose and treat your symptoms, book a hearing test with Health and Hearing at one of our locations around Brisbane. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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Do I Need a Hearing Aid for Mild Hearing Loss?

Too many people ignore the signs of their hearing loss because it hasn’t started to negatively impact their lives just yet. The real question is, how serious does your hearing problem have to become before it requires medical attention? If you’re suffering from a hearing issue that’s starting to annoy you, learn the facts about treating mild hearing loss from Health and Hearing.

  Defining Mild Hearing Loss

Healthcare professionals define mild hearing loss as hearing thresholds on an audiogram between 26 and 40 decibels (dB) across particular frequencies or pitches. Hearing loss can be defined as sounds not registering loudly enough or clearly enough for understanding. Those who suffer from mild hearing loss may simply have difficulty understanding conversations clearly.

Certain sounds are the first to become difficult with mild hearing loss. Certain consonants like “f”, “th”, “k” and “p” are common to lose in conversations, making it extremely tough to make sense of the words you are hearing. Mild hearing loss becomes challenging when you’re inundated with background noise or talking to someone who is soft-spoken.

  The Right Time for Treatment Is Totally Up to You

Mild hearing loss presents different hurdles for different people. You could have identical results on a hearing test to a person who reports significant difficulty in their everyday life while you don’t even notice your hearing loss. This is called a “perceived handicap”, and it is the main deciding factor in whether or not you should choose hearing aids.

If your lifestyle requires constant communication, spending time in restaurants or theatres, you may benefit substantially from hearing aids. Only you can decide how your hearing loss is impacting your life, and there are different styles of hearing aids designed for people at different ends of the spectrum.

  The Importance of a Hearing Test

If you’ve started to notice mild hearing loss, there are no downsides of having a hearing test. Your audiologist will be able to take a precise recording of your condition and establish exactly how much trouble it is causing you. Even if you don’t choose hearing aids, we can still keep a close eye on whether or not your hearing is getting worse over time.

  Hearing Aids for Mild Hearing Loss

The technology behind hearing aids has come a long way in recent years. If you suffer from mild hearing loss and your perceived handicap is high, the devices available to you are sleek, comfortable and effective. People with mild hearing loss have more options available to them and can choose customised hearing aids that require less frequent battery changes and maintenance.

Many people don’t report their hearing loss for approximately 7 years after they first notice it. In this time, the brain forgets how to hear sounds properly and the hearing loss can rapidly worsen. Catching the problem early can be the difference between total hearing loss and successful rehabilitation.

To understand more about your mild hearing loss, book a hearing test with Health and Hearing at one of our locations around Brisbane. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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Preventing Your Hearing Loss from Getting Worse

If your hearing loss is starting to affect your daily life, it’s important to take certain steps that can prevent it from worsening over time. Hearing loss isn’t an inevitable part of ageing even though it is common and can be exacerbated through lifestyle and health factors. In this article, Health and Hearing is exploring how you can prevent your hearing loss from getting worse.

  Understanding the Cause of Your Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss is an accumulation of damage to the ears over a long period of time. This kind of hearing loss is mild at first and then progressively gets worse if left untreated. Some forms of hearing loss can be caused by underlying medical conditions or trauma to the connected nerves and tissues.

When sound waves reach the inner ear, they have been significantly amplified by the ear canal. These sound waves move tiny hairs which brush against structures that release chemicals. The chemicals turn into electrical signals that are interpreted as noises by the brain.

Over time, the hair cells break down and have difficulty creating electrical signals. The higher the volume of sounds, the more damage is done to your ear’s hair cells. Hair cells cannot be fixed or replaced once they are gone, which is why it’s important to protect your ears against damage while you’re still young.

  Protecting Your Hearing Every Day

Taking care of your hearing requires constant hygiene and preventative techniques. A major player in hearing loss is overexposure to loud noises. The higher the decibel of sound, the more dangerous the noise is to your ears.

You may think the damage is only caused by extremely loud noises but the truth is that lower decibels can be dangerous too. As a rule of thumb, any noise that requires you to raise your voice in order to speak over it is too loud. Detrimental effects can happen within just a few minutes of exposure to loud noises (link to blog post 2).

You should be wearing hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, when you are:

Attending a concert

Riding a motorcycle

Operating power tools

Participating in loud social events

  Listening to Music Safely

Avoid using items that are designed to amplify and isolate sound. Headphones and earbuds can cause damage at higher than 60% of their full volume. Ill-fitting earbuds allow ambient sound to enter and often result in us turning the volume all the way up and putting our hearing at risk. Try to only listen to music through these devices for one hour a day.

  Being Careful with Your Hearing at Work

If your job exposes you to loud sounds, wear ear protection every day and speak to your boss about how you can mitigate the risks of hearing damage. No matter where you are, if you believe the noise level is too high, you should express your concerns.

  Avoid Certain Health Risks

In case you needed another reason to quit smoking, this is it. Smokers have been found much more likely to experience age-related hearing loss over time. Additionally, check your medication to see if it causes hearing loss. Some examples of this are aspirin, diuretics, anti-depressants, certain antibiotics, and many more.

Eating right and exercising regularly will protect every part of your body against the damage that comes with age. Manage your blood pressure levels and take care of your body to lower your chances of hearing damage.

  Book a Hearing Test Today

As soon as you recognise an issue with your hearing, book a hearing test at one of our Brisbane clinics. Early diagnosis and treatment can protect your hearing against further damage. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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Can Tinnitus Get Louder? How to Manage Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a frustrating symptom of many inner ear problems and it can drastically affect your quality of life. If you’re suffering from tinnitus, learn the facts about this condition so you can understand your treatment options. In this article, Health and Hearing is exploring whether or not tinnitus gets louder over time and how you can manage your condition.

  What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a constant sound in the ears that doesn’t come from an external, physical source. Most people experience a ringing in their ears; however, it can also present as whistling, buzzing, chirping, hissing, humming, or roaring. Tinnitus can be constant, intermittent or pulsating, and chronic cases cause a lot of distress to the sufferer.

Chronic tinnitus can be unpredictable, and many people fear that their symptoms are worsening and causing hearing loss. Tinnitus is actually a symptom of other conditions and it can typically be treated by treating its cause.

  Does Tinnitus Get Progressively Louder?

It is uncommon for tinnitus to get progressively worse, although many people assume it does because it changes in severity from day to day. In most cases, tinnitus actually improves or simply becomes more manageable over time. If your tinnitus is caused by age-related or noise-induced hearing loss, it may get worse if your condition is left untreated.

If tinnitus is becoming a problem for you, check to see if your current medication may be playing a part in its severity. Some medications can cause tinnitus to worsen, including:

Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs

Certain antibiotics

Antimalarial drugs

Certain anticonvulsants

Certain cancer drugs

Loop diuretics

Tricyclic Antidepressants

  Managing and Treating Your Tinnitus

A key factor to managing and treating tinnitus is discovering the underlying cause of the problem. Once that problem is treated, most people experience a complete recovery from their tinnitus. Tinnitus presents differently in every person, so treatment needs to be tailored to their specific needs and the severity of their condition.

Some tinnitus remedies include cognitive behavioural therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy, masking and stress management. These therapies focus on changing the way patients think about and respond to their tinnitus.

If your tinnitus is caused by hearing loss or inner ear damage, you may benefit from properly fitted hearing aids. Hearing aids work to reduce your perception of the ringing in your ears while taking the strain out of listening, preventing the problem from getting worse.

  Book a Hearing Test to Treat Your Tinnitus

The first step to curing the root of your tinnitus is to book a hearing test and diagnose what is causing the problem. The team at Health and Hearing will assess your condition and work out the best treatment plan for your individual needs. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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What Can I Expect from My Hearing Aid Fitting?

In order to achieve the best results from your new hearing aid, your hearing specialist will ensure it fits perfectly and maximises the potential benefits. If you’ve had your hearing test, the next step is to get your hearing aid fitted by a professional. Find out what to expect with the team at Health and Hearing in Brisbane.

  Completing a Thorough Hearing Test

Before your hearing aids are fitted, your audiologist will take you through a comprehensive hearing test. This test will measure the lowest sounds you can hear at altering pitches and then take recordings of how loud a sound can be before it becomes uncomfortable for you.

This step is important because it determines how much gain your hearing aid will need so that it can amplify quiet sounds to a point where they become audible and compress loud sounds to avoid discomfort. During an evaluation appointment, your audiologist will discuss the different styles of hearing aids and how much they will cost.

  Tailoring Your Hearing Aid to Suit Your Needs

In order to find the right technology for your hearing aid, you will need to discuss your listening environments and what you would like to get out of your device. There are different features and levels of technology within the many styles of hearing aids, and your audiologist will make professional recommendations based on your needs.

It may be necessary to take impressions of your ears, depending on which type of hearing aid you choose. The device will then be ordered and you can expect to return for a final fitting approximately two weeks later.

  Your Hearing Aid Fitting Appointment

Your audiologist will use Real Ear Measures to ensure the hearing aids are providing the right level of amplification. Real Ear Measures help us to understand how loud the sounds are within your ear canal. A thin tube attached to a microphone will be inserted in your ear canal, measuring the volume of sound near your eardrum.

Your hearing aid will then be carefully inserted into your ear alongside the probe tube. After turning the hearing aid on, we will measure its sound output while playing different volumes of noises and working out how well you can hear them.

Real Ear Measures are crucial to ensuring that you are receiving the ideal level of amplification in accordance with how severe your hearing loss is. Once your hearing aids are perfectly programmed, we will teach you how to care for them, change the batteries and operate certain functions.

  How Long Does a Hearing Aid Fitting Take?

You can expect your hearing aid fitting to last for between 45 minutes and one hour. We recommend returning for a follow-up appointment within the year to make sure your hearing aids are still working for your needs.

  Book a Hearing Test with Health and Hearing

If you’re concerned about the hearing of yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to book a hearing test at one of our locations around Brisbane. You can book a free consultation by calling (07) 3366 9355 or contacting us online.

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A Guide to the Different Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a very general term that describes a person’s inability to hear certain frequencies clearly, resulting in problems interacting with the world in daily life.  There are, however, many different types of hearing loss, and which particular one you have will determine the type of treatment you receive to improve your hearing.  The type of hearing loss you have depends on which part of your hearing is damaged so here’s a guide to the most common types of hearing loss people suffer.  Conductive Hearing Loss  Conductive hearing loss means sounds can’t get through the inner and middle ear. It’s often caused by fluid in your middle ear because the Eustachian tube isn’t draining properly, infections, benign tumours, ear wax or something blocking the outer or middle ear, or a hole in the ear drum. Surgery or medication can often improve hearing.  Retrocochlear Hearing Loss  Retrocochlear hearing loss describes a central hearing loss that happens beyond the cochlear and affects the auditory nerve. This can have many causes such as trauma, old age, infections, tumours, metabolic disorders and vascular disorders.  Retrocochlear hearing loss is rare, but generally affects only one ear and can come with a range of other symptoms, depending on the cause.  Unilateral Hearing Loss  Unilateral or single-sided hearing loss affects just one ear and can be caused by trauma, viral infections, and occasionally surgery to remove brain tumours.  It’s a common condition and affects the person’s ability to locate the direction of sounds putting them at a higher risk for accidents and leaving them unable to separate background noise from the sound they want to hear.  Sensorineural Hearing Loss  Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear and/or auditory nerve and can be a result of trauma, infection, sudden loud noises or prolonged exposure to excessive noise such as industrial deafness. This type of hearing loss is permanent and cannot be repaired, but hearing aids can help.  There are also varying levels of severity, and without proper treatment, it can continue to worsen.  Ototoxic Hearing Loss  Ototoxic hearing loss is caused by certain medications or chemicals and can cause persistent tinnitus, and dizziness and loss of balance along with hearing loss. It’s not as common as other forms of hearing loss and is often only temporary while the drug is being used. Permanent forms can benefit from hearing aids.  Sudden Hearing Loss  Sudden hearing loss can be permanent or temporary and is caused by very loud and close noises such as explosions and gunshots. It can also be caused by infections and head trauma, or even chronic stress.   Brisbane’s Most Thorough Free Hearing Test  At Health and Hearing, we have more than 30 years of experience working with veterans, seniors, university students and working Australians. We understand that seeking help for your hearing problems can be embarrassing and stressful but we’re here to help you with this sensitive issue. We provide a thorough hearing test to determine what type of hearing loss you have so we can offer the best treatment.  Call us on (07) 3366 9355 or contact us online to discuss your hearing concerns and book a free no-obligation hearing test and consultation. 

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The Benefits of Wireless Bluetooth Hearing Aids

In recent years, hearing aid technology has improved considerably and it’s now possible to have an invisible device that fits in your ear canal and can be controlled by your smart phone.  Often called TV hearing aids because they allow you to stream sound directly from your television to your hearing aid, these amazing devices can do so much more. They’re perfect for older people who have lost the ability to hear the higher frequencies that are needed to understand speech clearly.  Here’s a rundown of some of the benefits you’ll enjoy from this new technology.  Bluetooth Technology  Hearing aids with Bluetooth technology allow you to connect to your phone, television, iPad or any other Bluetooth-enabled device to stream the sound directly to your ears via the hearing aid.   Depending on the type of hearing aid, you’ll need an iPhone 5 or later, and some can be used with Android smart phones. You can customise the sound to stream to one or both hearing aids as well as control the volume, and if you’re listening to music, your hearing aids become a set of in-ear headphones. You can even stream phone calls into your hearing aids so you never miss any of the conversation.  Better Sound Quality  Bluetooth hearing aids have a more stable signal with less chance of dropping out and superior sound quality with no feedback or whistling. You can even extend your listening range with wireless microphones strategically placed up to 25 metres away.  Your hearing devices can communicate with each other to fine tune and maintain the sound you hear so they act as one system instead of two separate devices. You can also listen hands-free to phone calls in both ears instead of just one.  Multiple Devices  You can connect multiple devices to your hearing aids using wireless Bluetooth technology and easily switch between devices. You can connect up to eight different devices, and most new devices are Bluetooth-enabled for easy access.  Smart Phone Apps  You can use smart phone apps to control your hearing aids without having to fiddle around and risk damaging them. You can control the volume, check your battery status, connect to other devices, and even use geo-tagging and your phone’s GPS to set different volumes in different locations so your hearing aids will automatically change.  If you lose or misplace a hearing aid, your phone can quickly locate it for you. Your hearing clinic can also change the settings remotely if needed without you having to go and see them.  Feel More Connected and in Control  At Health and Hearing, we have a range of wireless Bluetooth hearing aids and we can advise on the best one to suit your needs. We’ll be happy to tell you all the amazing benefits of your new devices and show you how to use them.   Call us on (07) 3366 9355 or contact us online to discuss your hearing concerns, your new hearing aids, or to book a free no-obligation hearing test and consultation. 

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The Best Ways to Protect your Hearing

We mostly take our perfect hearing for granted, but your life would change dramatically if you were to experience sudden or gradual hearing loss, and not for the better.  There are many issues that hearing-impaired people have to deal with on a daily basis such as the inability to hear oncoming cars or shouts of warning, hear clearly in crowded, busy places, or even just follow a conversation.  Additionally, the risk for physical and mental health problems increases with impaired hearing, so it’s important to be aware of the things that can damage your hearing and take steps to protect it.  Use Hearing Protection  Hearing protection is not just about using earplugs and ear muffs; it’s about avoiding loud noises that can damage your hearing.  If you’re forced to shout to make yourself heard over the noise, then you should move somewhere quieter if you can. If you go to a loud rock concert, wear some type of hearing protection and give your ears at least 16 hours of quiet to recover afterwards.  The same goes for listening to music with headphones. Young people especially are at risk of hearing damage when the volume is too high. If other people can hear your music when you’re wearing headphones or earbuds, then it’s too loud.  Ear Cleaning  Many people using cotton buds to clean their ears think they’re doing the right thing, but ears are self-cleaning, and pushing anything into your ear can damage your hearing. Using cotton buds can even push the ear wax further into your ear, causing temporary hearing impairment.  Know the Side Effects of Certain Medications  Some common medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can affect hearing if taken in large amounts. Try to limit their use and only take only as directed.  Keep Your Stress Levels Down  Anxiety and high stress levels can cause tinnitus because the adrenaline your body produces when you’re stressed can put pressure on the nerves and blood flow around your inner ear.  Getting adequate fresh air and exercise is a great way to reduce stress and increase circulation which benefits all of your body.  Get Your Free Hearing Test  Most hearing loss is gradual and the damage is done before you even notice it. Damaged hearing can rarely be restored, so it’s important to have regular check-ups and hearing tests to detect hearing loss as soon as possible.  At Health and Hearing, we have more than 30 years of experience working with veterans, seniors, university students and working Australians. We understand that seeking help for your hearing problems can be embarrassing and stressful, but we’re here to help you with this sensitive issue. We’re also here to offer our expert advice on any hearing-related questions or problems you have.  Call us on (07) 3366 9355 or contact us online to discuss your hearing concerns and book a free no-obligation hearing test and consultation. 

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What to Expect During a Hearing Test

Realising you have some level of hearing loss can be stressful, and making an appointment for a hearing test even more so because you might not like the results. However, once you know you need professional help, putting it off only adds to your stress and anxiety, and it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Here’s how to prepare for a hearing test.    The Questionnaire  When you arrive for your hearing test, we’ll ask you to fill out a form that tells us how you’re coping with your hearing loss.  Everyone’s life is different, and by answering the questions, we can determine the level of impact your hearing loss has had on your everyday life. For example, someone who stays home a lot might not need as much help as someone who is very active and loves to socialise.  Medical History and Hearing Test  The next step is to check your ear canal to make sure it’s clear and healthy-looking and not full of ear wax. If a problem is found, it will be necessary to see your doctor for further treatment before we can continue, however, most people don’t have any problems.  Next, we discuss your medical history so we know whether you’ve had hearing problems before and maybe even determine what caused your hearing loss. They may be small, unimportant details to you, but when we put them all together, we can get a bigger picture of your particular circumstances.  Now comes the hearing test where you sit in a sound booth with headphones on. Sometimes the test only takes 5 – 10 minutes, but if there are other concerns, it could take around 15 – 20 minutes.  Once the test is complete, we’ll go through the results with you and tell you the level of your hearing loss and at what frequencies. Often, it’s only the higher frequencies that are affected, which is why you can still hear, but not as clearly as you once did.  Choosing the Best Device for your Needs  Once we know what type of hearing loss you’re suffering from, we can begin to choose the right device to help you hear more clearly. You can choose from hearing aids that fit behind your ear or almost invisible hearing aids that fit into your ear canal. We’ll show you pictures of the different styles and discuss the pros and cons, and costs of each one  When you’ve chosen the level of technology you want in your device, we’ll place the order with the manufacturer, and in some cases, we might need to take a mould of your ear for a better fit.  Fitting Your Hearing Device  Once your new device has arrived at our clinic, we’ll call you back in to fit it. Your new device is customised and set up for your particular type of hearing loss, and we check that everything is working properly before you arrive.  The Follow Up  A week or two after you’ve had your device fitted, you’ll come back for a follow up appointment where we’ll do some fine tuning to make sure you’re completely happy. We also check that you’re putting your hearing aids in correctly and cleaning and maintaining them properly, as well as answer any questions or concerns you have.  Book a Hearing Test  At Health and Hearing we have more than 30 years of experience working with veterans, seniors, university students and working Australians. We understand that seeking help for your hearing problems can be embarrassing and stressful but we’re here to help you with this sensitive issue.  Call us on (07) 3366 9355 or contact us online to discuss your hearing concerns and book a free no-obligation hearing test and consultation. 

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How to Minimise Hearing Loss with Training

Our sense of hearing is one of our most important to help us get through life safely and give us a feeling of connection to our friends and family. Hearing loss has a big impact on our day-to-day living and can be the cause of physical and mental health problems, and a decline in our living standards.  Many people worry about losing their hearing through getting older or other causes, but there are steps you can take to minimise the risk and protect your hearing well into your twilight years.  So, how can you train yourself to hear better? Try these easy and fun hearing exercises and learn how to improve hearing for life.  Practice Your Hearing  It sounds silly when you’re constantly hearing whether you want to or not, but focused hearing practice can sharpen your ability to hear clearly and goes a long way to preventing hearing loss.  When you’re out and about, practice locating the source of different sounds, especially in noisy environments or where there’s a lot of background noise.  Try to identify each sound and whether it’s close or farther away. Do this with a friend because you might find that you both hear things differently and have some fun at the same time.  You can also close your eyes and have someone move around the room while they speak so you can practice pinpointing their exact location.  Meditate Outside  Meditating outside such as in the park can also help you locate the source of different noises and help you become better at deciphering and isolating sounds when they’re all mixed together.  Any form of meditation is good for your brain and improves your mental health and concentration; this just takes it up a level with hearing exercises.   Take a Yoga Class  Yoga offers a host of benefits for your mind and body, and there are even some poses that can help with your hearing. The aim is to increase blood flow and circulation in your brain and ears which improve nerve function. You can take a class with a friend or find some YouTube videos online to help you practice at home.  Online Programs and Apps  There are many apps for your smart phone and online programs that show you how to hear better. You can find daily training programs that simulate a noisy environment and help you develop ways to hear more clearly in busy and noisy places, as well as providing different and challenging accents to listen to and decipher.  There are also games with children’s hearing exercises so you can start them early and build lifelong good hearing habits.  How to Hear Better  At Health and Hearing, we have more than 30 years of experience working with veterans, seniors, university students and working Australians. We understand that seeking help for your hearing problems can be embarrassing and stressful but we’re here to help you with this sensitive issue.  If you’re having trouble hearing for any reason, it’s important to have a hearing test and get the appropriate treatment. Call us on (07) 3366 9355 or contact us online to discuss your hearing concerns and book a free no-obligation hearing test and consultation. 

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