Living with hearing loss
Hearing loss is a common condition affecting over 1.5 billion people worldwide. On this page you can learn to recognize signs of hearing loss, understand your treatment options and learn how you can help someone with a hearing loss.
Recognize the signs of hearing loss
How to handle the symptoms of hearing loss
If you notice that you or a loved one is experiencing signs of hearing loss, we advise you to seek advice in one of our HearingLife clinics.
When you book a free hearing appointment, you will undergo a hearing test which lasts approximately one hour. The test will indicate:
- Whether you have hearing loss
- Your level of hearing loss
- What treatment options are available to you
You can also start out by taking our online hearing test. It takes about five minutes and gives you a quick assessment regarding whether you show signs of hearing loss.
Book a FREE hearing test
Living with untreated hearing loss
If you have difficulty hearing, you might make small adjustments in your daily life to compensate for your hearing loss. For example, you might start to withdraw from social activities. This withdrawal can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
But you don’t have to accept the undesirable lifestyle changes that untreated hearing loss can have. You can receive treatment for your hearing loss so that you can communicate freely and participate in conversations again.
The first step towards better hearing is getting a hearing test in a hearing clinic. Hearing tests are free of charge in all our clinics for those over the age of 19.
How to help someone with hearing loss
It can be difficult to talk to a friend or loved one about hearing loss. It’s important to find a good time to have the conversation. Be mindful of the fact that it may be a sensitive topic for them.
They may be experiencing lowered confidence as a result of their hearing loss. With this in mind, be understanding and supportive in your approach. Here are a few tips for talking to someone about hearing loss:
- Prepare yourself for the conversation
- Find a comfortable place to talk
- Show compassion and support
- Help them take one step in the right direction that will get them closer to treatment
Bob
"When I play softball, it's not only about winning, it's also about communicating with my teammates, the social aspects, and not missing out on anything in my life."
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Visual |
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Music I would say the most important thing in life is the freedom to be yourself.
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Bob is smiling while getting ready to play softball |
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I have an ambitious mindset. I want to perform when it comes to sports. I want to perform when it comes to work.
And actually, I want to live my life to the fullest.
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Bob holds a softball bat and warms up.
Bob walks towards his teammate and gives him a fist bump |
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Imagine that ability being taken away from you.
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Bob sits on the spectator row and watches the others play while talking with his teammate |
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I am taking the responsibility to be free. Free to achieve things in life with no compromise.
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Zoom in on Bobs face. Zoom out on Bob throwing the ball.
Bob talks with an audiologist in a clinic |
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Music
When I play softball, it is not only about winning. It is also about communicating with my teammates. The social aspect and not missing out on anything in my life.
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Bob inserts his hearing aids and interacts with his teammates |
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White screen: Audika Logo |
What can you do to help
Read more tips about helping a loved one address their potential hearing loss.
Help someone with hearing loss
An easy first step is taking a quick online assessment that indicates if you may have hearing loss.
Take online hearing test
In most cases, the best next step will be to agree that your friend or loved one book a hearing test in a hearing clinic. This action step will help them to get a better understanding of both the level and type of hearing loss.
Seek help for hearing loss: Book FREE hearing test
How to test your hearing for free
HearingLife offers free hearing tests to all clients. Use our clinic locator to find a clinic near you and book your free hearing test. When we test your hearing, you can expect to receive the following:
- A consultation with a certified hearing care professional
- A thorough hearing test with same-day results
- A selection of high-quality hearing aids from multiple brands
- Free, 30-day hearing aid trial
- Flexible payment plans
- Our exclusive 360-AfterCare Guarantee (valid for three years after purchase) – which includes everything you need to get the most out of your hearing aids - including unlimited batteries for your hearing aids
We're here to help you hear better
While modern hearing aids are more effective than ever before in significantly improving hearing ability, they do not restore your hearing completely.
However, hearing aids can come close. You can expect to hear significantly better than you would without hearing aids.
Additionally, hearing aids have been shown to improve quality of life, self-confidence, and social engagement.
The hidden risks of hearing loss
Although hearing loss affects people in different ways, many studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a number of emotional and social consequences. Some of them include:
- Less social interaction and loneliness
- Weakened memory and a decreased ability to learn new tasks
- Reduced performance at work or school
- Tiredness, worry, stress, and depression
- Reduced awareness and an increased risk to personal safety (for example, while driving)
Sources
1. G Livingston, Jonathan Huntley, Andrew Sommerlad, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet. July 30, 2020.
2. 10., Marketrak. 'Marketing Research, Inc.'.
3. https://www.who.int/health-topics/hearing-loss#tab=tab_2
https://betterhearing.org/HIA/assets/File/public/marketrak/MarkeTrak_VII_The_Impact_of_Untreated_Hearing_Loss_on_Household_Income.pdf
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21320988/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4075051/
6. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-report-on-hearing
