Hearing Loss - First signs - Types - Testing. Don't let difficulty hearing hold you back - Take action today
Posted by Eamonn Brady on
Hearing loss
Signs of hearing loss
You probably have hearing loss if any of the following is true:
- You struggle to hear people in crowds or with any background noise
• You have the television turned up too loud for other people
• You avoid social occasions because of the pressure in pretending to hear
• A loved one keeps telling you that you are not responding
• You feel sad because you can no longer socialise with people
• You can’t understand why people won’t just speak clearly and stop all that mumbling
• You can’t understand children when they speak (high-frequency loss)
Most people with hearing loss are ok on a one to one basis but struggle for clarity when with more than one person. For this reason, and because it is gradual, most people don’t realise how much they are missing until they try on prescription hearing aids. The difference can be immediate and life-changing.
Types of hearing loss
Hearing loss is due to the ears complex system that works in harmony to bring sound from the environment to your brain, where it can be processed. Overall, there are three types of hearing loss. Hearing loss can be caused by a disorder in the outer and middle ear or/and damage in the inner ear.
Hearing Loss: Conductive
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not being transmitted properly due to a disorder in the outer or middle ear. In many cases, conductive hearing loss can be medically treated. Some examples include excessive earwax blocking the ear canal, deformity of the outer ear or ear canal, and infections and fluid in the middle ear.
Hearing Loss: Sensorineural
Sensorineural hearing loss affects the cochlea, the organ of hearing within the inner ear, or the nerves beyond the inner ear. Most sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, cannot be medically treated, and can result in difficulty distinguishing sounds and understanding speech. There are many causes of sensorineural hearing loss including the aging process, genetics, prolonged exposure to loud noise, and certain medications.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural components.
Free Hearing Tests and affordable hearing aids
Hearing tests are available free of charge in Whelahans Pearse St, Mullingar weekly by a qualified Blackberry Hearing audiologist. If you or your loved one has hearing concerns call the friendly team at our Blackberry Hearing HQ on 01-6978470 to book in for a free hearing consultation. PRSI Grant of €1,000 available on a pair of hearing aids.
About Blackberry Hearing
As the only Irish owned nationwide supplier of hearing aids with over 50 clinics nationwide, the company is renowned for its strong customer care philosophy, including:
- Transparent and affordable pricing. All prices and grant details are shared with you before you visit the clinic and prices start at €499 per aid with the grant.
- Friendly and professional staff. For example; our audiologists are highly qualified (BSc or MSc degree)
- The best products. For example; the Evoke 440 is the World’s first smart” hearing aid and probably the world’s most advanced hearing aid.
- Excellent Customer Care. For example; We also offer guaranteed satisfaction or your money back and 4 years Free follow ups.
Thanks to Blackberry Hearing for information for this article
For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans Pharmacies, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore).