Blog Layout

Invisible Impacts of Hearing Challenges

The impacts of hearing loss include the things that you’d expect – such as challenges understanding what other people are saying – to less visible effects.


One of our favourite quotes is: “When someone has a hearing loss, the whole family has a hearing problem.” This quote from audiologist Mark Ross illustrates how the effects of hearing loss go beyond the individual that struggles with their hearing. Their community of family, friends and colleagues also are impacted by the challenges with communication.
 

Impacts on relationships are one example of the invisible impacts of hearing loss. Many of the other impacts of hearing loss are not always associated with challenges with hearing.


Understanding the invisible impacts of hearing challenges can contribute to finding solutions that are effective to the core problem.


Noticeable impacts of hearing loss

Most commonly, hearing loss is progressive over a long timeline – usually over many years. In other cases, it is an acute symptom or damage from an extreme event.


For people that experience a significant loss within a short timeline, it is easier to notice the impacts of hearing loss. They notice a universal impact on their entire life.


For people that experience a progressive loss over a long timeline, many don’t notice all of the impacts.


Some of the noticeable impacts of hearing loss include:


  • Challenges hearing people that speak softly
  • Difficulty comprehending what people are saying, especially in environments that have multiple speakers or noises
  • Need to turn up televisions, speakers, phones or other devices
  • Ask others to repeat themselves because they weren’t perfectly clear


Invisible impacts of hearing loss

As hearing care professionals, the invisible impacts of hearing loss make our job both challenging and incredibly rewarding. For many people, their hearing loss was so progressive that they don’t see how the difficulties are impacting their daily life.


We are grateful to help people live better lives with challenges that they may not even notice. Our help is sometimes unexpected, so it is rewarding to help people and their families in ways that they were not anticipating.


Some of the less visible (or hidden) impacts of hearing loss are:


  • Missed communication during conversations
  • More energy is required to listen and comprehend, leading to exhaustion, anxiety and depression (see how hearing loss relates to exhaustion)
  • Hesitation to participate in social interactions because they can be exhausting
  • Impact on mental health and well-being
  • Strain on relationships


The best first step is a hearing test

If any of these visible or invisible impacts of hearing loss ring true to you, we always recommend a hearing test to determine the degree and type of loss.


If you notice these signs in someone close to you, a hearing test will offer certainty on the contributions of hearing loss. We understand that not everyone will be enthusiastic about getting a hearing test, for any one of these reasons:


  • They may not realize the impacts that you notice
  • They may not want to admit there is a potential problem
  • They may not be interested in hearing aids, so they prefer to avoid addressing any issues


Here are some recommendations to encourage people to get a hearing test, even if they are not enthusiastic about the idea.


Kindly share what you notice

Many people may not be aware of the impacts of their hearing loss. Over time, any challenges progressed at a pace too slow to notice.


If you notice a loved one or friend struggle with hearing you or others, kindly let them know what you notice. We understand this can be a difficult conversation that may not lead to a hearing test right away, but it may plant the seed and encourage hearing care later.


It is difficult to solve an issue that is unknown. By kindly sharing what you notice, you can help identify a challenge that can be solved.


Affirm that the goal of a hearing test is understanding

Many people are hesitant to get a hearing test because they don’t want to commit to the next steps right away. We recommend affirming the goal of a hearing test is understanding:


  1. Understand the state of the hearing system
  2. Understand what options are available to improve hearing
  3. Understand the pros, cons and costs of all the options


At Professional Audiology, we encourage everyone to take time to consider their decisions before committing to the next steps. We will provide the information necessary to be confident in the decision.


Consider the timing and place of the conversation

If someone isn’t aware of a problem, it is understandably a difficult and unwelcome conversation. We recommend being aware of the timing and location of the conversation to discuss the sensitive subject in a comfortable and open environment. Use compassion and focus on the core reasons for the conversation: to seek opportunities for improved health and well-being.


Get your own hearing tested first

Everyone benefits from a hearing baseline. By capturing the state of your hearing today, you can better monitor changes in the future and identify potential issues. Most of all, you can experience the process of a hearing test and offer empathy to those that may be hesitant about the process.


Offer to go with them to their first appointment

At Professional Audiology, we enthusiastically recommend people bring a close family member or friend to their appointments. Not only can they provide additional insights, but they can also provide support, assistance and an extra listening ear.


Book a Hearing Test

If you notice any hearing challenges or if you’ve even remotely thought about any hearing challenges, then a hearing test will provide information and understanding that you can use in the future.


Book a hearing test today at Professional Audiology.

How often should I get my hearing tested?

18 Apr, 2023
It’s routine for people to schedule medical checkups, like an annual physical, vision test or dental exam. But regular hearing tests are much less commonplace. Despite the integral role hearing plays in our daily lives, we just don’t tend to pay it as much mind. Your hearing is far from static, which is why we urge everyone—both young and old, known hearing loss or not—to get a hearing test and ensure you’re properly caring for all your senses. What happens during a hearing test? Hearing evaluations may be in-depth, but they are nothing to be nervous about. We won’t be poking and prodding you. Professional Audiology goes beyond the basic tests to better ensure our clients receive the thorough care they deserve. Here’s an in-depth overview of what happens during a hearing test. Hearing Screening A quick pass/fail test of your ability to hear different tones in each ear. It will indicate if you have hearing loss but will not go into any detail about the type or levels of degradation. If you fail a hearing screening, you should definitely get a full hearing test. Hearing Test Sometimes referred to as a hearing evaluation, these tests go in-depth into analyzing and diagnosing your hearing ability, your understanding of speech and assessing your outer, middle and inner ears. Components of a full hearing evaluation Your hearing is a two-part process, involving the physical action of hearing as well as the processing of the sound information once received by your brain. It’s crucially important to test based on both these factors to ensure you receive the proper care. There are a number of different tests that will be performed during your hearing evaluation. These include: Air conduction Otoscopy Bone conduction Tympanometry Word recognition Loudness discomfort levels None of these tests are invasive, and when combined, they offer our clients the fullest possible picture of their current hearing, and help highlight the best path to better hearing health. When should I get my hearing tested? There are many good reasons to receive a hearing test, and far fewer reasons not to. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, regular hearing tests are crucial to tell whether your loss is changing or degrading. If you’ve been receiving treatment for hearing loss, hearing tests will be able to gauge if that treatment has been successful in providing help and hopefully stemming the tide of further damage. If you work in a loud environment or frequent loud spaces like concerts, then regular hearing tests can be very helpful in guarding against further damage. Occupational hearing loss is unfortunately very common. If you ever notice a pervasive ringing in your ears, it is definitely in your best interest to receive a hearing test. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, and while it can’t be treated the same way, a hearing test can certainly help you better understand your condition. If you’ve never received a hearing test before, it can be very helpful for future visits to have a baseline to compare to, so in the future it will be easier to determine if any loss has occurred. If for any reason, you or a loved one is questioning whether they may be suffering from hearing loss, then a comprehensive hearing evaluation can either quell those concerns or help lead you to the next step in determining how to tackle and prevent any further hearing loss. 

How hearing loops help when you’re out and about

18 Apr, 2023
There are plenty of situations in your day-to-day life that require a level of active listening. For anyone with hearing challenges, this can create a barrier that makes going about your regular business quite difficult. One solution for dealing with this is hearing loops, a very helpful technology that can make a huge difference for folks who are hard of hearing. What are hearing loops? A hearing loop is a unique sound system that is used to transmit sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. Made up of a physical loop of cable that is placed around a designated area, a hearing loop transmits sound by generating a magnetic field in the area which delivers a signal to properly equipped hearing aids. When hooked up to a microphone, a hearing loop carries a speaker's voice wirelessly to listeners hearing aids and is best implemented in environments like church halls, theatre rooms and public spaces like banks, information centers and similar public-oriented service providers. How do hearing loops work with hearing aids? For a hearing aid to pick up the transmitted sound from a hearing loop, it has to be equipped with a called a telecoil. Also referred to as a T-coil, this technology is made up of a small coil of wire wrapped around a rod that acts as an antenna to pick up the sound being delivered by a hearing loop. All cochlear implants have telecoils equipped, and nearly 80% of hearing aids either have a telecoil included or are capable of using one. It’s important to ask that a telecoil be included with your new hearing aids, as it is such a helpful tool to be used when you’re out and about. How do I use a hearing loop? This is arguably the best part of hearing loop systems, as cochlear implants and T-coil-equipped hearing aids automatically pick up the signal, meaning you don’t have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of crystal-clear communication. Say you walk into a bank with a hearing loop system. Rather than having to struggle to hear what the teller is saying behind their glass partition, you’ll be able to hear their voice clearly and succinctly without so much as pushing a button. Even better is going to a packed local play and not having to strain to hear the actors, as their voices are being transmitted directly into your ears. Hearing loops provide a level of access that hearing aids alone can’t even offer. More and more locations around the world are adding hearing loops to their services, providing those who are hard of hearing the chance to go about their days with an increased level of normality. Where can I find hearing loops in Edmonton? There are multiple locations around Edmonton that provide the added hearing assistance of a hearing loop. The popular Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton has hearing loops installed in two of its performance areas, allowing everyone to enjoy their shows the way they were meant to be. Most of the HSBC banks in the city are equipped with hearing loops, and all of Edmonton’s public libraries offer hearing loops at their front counters. You can go to Hearing Loops Canada For a more detailed list of hearing loop locations as well as plenty of other useful hearing loop resources. If you’re interested in the benefits of hearing loops, your first step should be to book a hearing test . Professional Audiology can help you find the right devices that will not only take advantage of the benefits of hearing loops but also greatly help improve your ability to hear. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.

Tips for hearing better when dining out

18 Apr, 2023
There’s no question that dining out can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from hearing loss. With diners chatting away, cutlery clanging and music playing at an uncomfortably loud level, even folks with healthy hearing may have a hard time communicating with their table mates. These debilitating decibels can make it an easy choice to stay in and miss out on socializing, which can quickly take a toll on your overall mental well-being. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks that can help those who are hard of hearing have an enjoyable experience when heading out for a bite. Take the Time to Plan Ahead If you are the one planning the restaurant outing, then all the power is in your hands. Make sure to use it! When these tips are combined, they’re sure to increase the enjoyment level of your culinary excursion. Research quiet restaurants People love to make lists and categorize essentially everything online. If you live in an urban area, there’s a very good chance that someone has taken the time to discern which restaurants won’t blow out your eardrums. Choose your seating carefully If you’re planning early, you should be able to pick your seat. Sitting right in the middle of a crowded dining area, with noisy neighbours in all directions, is sure to cause you some distress. Specifically, ask for a high-backed booth or a corner seat where you’ll have a wall to your back. This is sure to cut out a lot of the clamour. Timing is everything As you are the master and commander of your outing, you have a lot more sway in picking the time for everyone to gather and chow down. While brunch is certainly trendy, it won’t be hearing-friendly. Neither will the middle of the dinner rush be. Pick a time after the lunch rush, before the dinner rush, or even have a slightly later dinner. That way, after you’ve devoured your food, the restaurant will be nice and quiet, allowing you and your guests plenty of time to comfortably sip your wine and chat the night away. When Not in Charge of Planning, Advocate for Yourself This can admittedly be quite a tricky one. Nobody wants to inconvenience their friends or loved ones with a perceived huge ask for accommodation. It’s uncomfortable, and odds are your brain will tell you you’re asking too much and being a real pain. We’re here to tell you, you’re not asking too much. Your hearing issue is a real physical and measurable issue. Your mates will more than likely be happy to help you have an enjoyable dining experience. If not, then we’re sorry your friends suck. Bottom line: as hard as it can be, advocating for yourself is more than acceptable. Take Advantage of Tech to Improve Your Dining Experience Thank goodness for the ever-evolving world of technology, as there are products, devices and apps out there that can help you get the most out of your social forays. One such option is the ability to live transcribe the conversations at your table using your smartphone. There are multiple free apps, including a Google Android app that allow you to actively read what is being said by those dining with you. While the technology isn’t perfect, and you may get some comedically hilarious translation hiccups, context will probably help you through those bugs. Hearing aids are life changers for those who are hard of hearing Of course, the tried-and-true method to help you hear your surroundings with clarity and accuracy is hearing aids. Gone are the bulky and awkward hearing aids that stick out like a sore thumb. In are the sleek and discreet hearing aids with advanced technology like directional microphones that will help you focus the conversation. Hearing aids really can make a hugely beneficial impact on your life. You don’t have to continue suffering on your own, struggling from one conversation to another. While not a 100% cure to all your hearing issues, they are by far the best and most effective option to get you back out socializing and enjoying your life the way you used to. You can start your road to hearing recovery by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Our trained and knowledgeable audiologists will help you find the hearing aid solution that works best for your specific needs. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
More Posts
Share by: