Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Loss
Common questions useful for those who are currently in need of support or would like to provide support to someone they know. Our founder, Rachel, shares some information about and insight into experiencing hearing loss.
How many people have hearing loss in the UK?
Approximately 18 million people.
What are the main types of hearing loss?
Conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.
What is sensorineural hearing loss?
This is when there is inner ear damage from illness, infection, age, genetics or a blow to the head. This type of hearing loss is permanent.
What is conductive hearing loss?
A conductive hearing loss happens when sounds cannot get through the outer and middle ear. Making it hard to hear soft sounds. Loud noises are often muffled. This type of hearing loss may be caused by fluid in the ear, ear infections, ear wax build up or hole in the ear drum. This can be a temporary or permanent loss.
Does prevalence increase with age?
Yes, from the age of 50 the prevalence of hearing loss increases to 40%, by the time people are in their 70’s this increases to 70%.
Getting Support
When does hearing loss require support?
The severity of hearing loss varies from mild to profound. However, even
with a mild hearing loss, help is available and it is important to get support with your hearing.
Why is it important to get support that is right for you?
Time spent without support significantly increases a person’s risk of isolation and developing dementia. In addition, the longer the hearing is left unsupported the neural network dies. This means using hearing aids or other assisted equipment will be less effective when taken up.
Where do I go to get a test?
There are many different places to start. For example, Boots and hospitals do tests and hearing aids. There are other providers e.g. Hidden Hearing.
Do I have to pay for my tests?
This will depend on where you have the test. NHS tests and hearing aids are free. If using a private provider charges will vary.
What will happen at the test?
An audiologist will check your ears for any obstructions eg. wax build up etc. They will conduct a test. This test includes different sounds for individuals to respond to. The test covers a range of pitch/frequencies (measured in hertz) and loudness/level of loss (measured in decibels). They will identify the level of loss and type of hearing loss. From this they should be able to provide or signpost you to what you need.
What is an audiogram?
An audiogram is a graph that captures the softest sounds a person can hear at different frequencies. These are measured in hertz and level of loss is measured in decibels.
Which are the best hearing aids?
You need to seek advice on which one meets your hearing loss needs and which fits best with your lifestyle.
How do hearing aids work?
The hearing aid boosts sounds in the frequency range of loss. The amplification objective is to maximise speech sounds. It will pick up other noises too.
Why do some people choose not to wear hearing aids?
There are many reasons however there are two key ones. Firstly stigma, and secondly it picks up background noises, this is not easy to manage.
Does background noise get more manageable?
This will vary from person to person but wearing hearing aids in many different settings does help the brain get used to the sounds better. This does not mean it will be easy but it is usually worth persevering to get the most out of your hearing aids. Some hearing aids are better at cutting out noise—so this is another consideration when identifying hearing aids that are right for you.
Are there ways of cutting out background noise?
Yes, there are two ways of cutting out noise. One is to switch to loop setting on the hearing aid when the speaker has a microphone link and the other is listening to sounds through Bluetooth.
Living With Hearing Loss
What are our rights in accessing employment and services?
You are covered by the protected characteristics in the Equality Act. This means services should be responsive to your needs. In practice this means the onus is on them to find out what techniques and equipment works for you.
How can you become an ally to someone with hearing loss?
There are many things you can do that help. First, ask what will help them. We are all different. Second, point out to colleagues/bosses when services are inaccessible. Eg. no captions option, no signer available, no loop system etc. These are just a few things to consider. There are also many useful techniques that are inclusive of individuals with hearing loss.
What Support Can Living 4 Moments Provide?
In our d/Deaf awareness training at Living 4 Moments, we share many useful techniques which are simple to implement once known. In addition, we share equipment that can help, including mainstream technologies that have transformed inclusion in lots of different ways and settings.
Our training can benefit individuals who are living with hearing loss as well as those who are allies; including employers, colleagues, friends, family and support workers. To up-skill in d/Deaf awareness, contact us to discuss how we can help meet your needs.