Reading & West Berkshire 50 Plus Magazine

Page 32

HEALTH hearing aids. Conductive hearing loss is typically the result of obstructions in the ear. Conductive hearing loss can usually be treated medically or surgically. And finally, you could have a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Time to take action Hearing loss can happen at any time, at any age. Most people with hearing loss (65%) are actually younger than 65. On average, people wait 7 years between first noticing their hearing loss and finally taking action. But the sooner you do something about it the better. Over time, reduced stimulation to your ears and brain can actually

Ask the experts at Mary Hare about hearing loss Mary Hare has been helping people

infections of the head or ear, aging and

with hearing difficulties for well over

reaction to drugs or cancer treatment.

a hundred years. So when it comes to getting advice about hearing loss,

There are 3 types of hearing loss.

there’s no one better to ask than the

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most

experts at Mary Hare Hearing Centre.

common type. It occurs when the inner ear nerves (and hair cells) are

The early signs of hearing loss

damaged and don’t properly transmit auditory signals to the brain. This type

Many of us don’t notice the early signs of hearing loss because we slowly adjust to the change. Some of the common signs of hearing loss include: •

Asking others to repeat themselves

Turning up the TV or radio to

volume levels others find loud

Having trouble understanding

conversation in noisy places

Feeling like other people mumble

or slur their words

Avoiding social situations that were

once enjoyable

There are several different causes. The main ones include excessive noise, infections, genetics, birth defects,

32 | WWW.50PLUSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

of hearing loss can be treated with

impair the brain’s ability to process sound and recognise speech. The more speech recognition deteriorates, the more difficult it is to recover. And when you can’t hear what’s going on around you, your mental sharpness suffers. The quicker you take action, the sooner you put a stop to the negative effects of hearing loss and begin to regain sharpness, confidence and control.

The truth about hearing aids Today’s hearing aids are smaller, more discreet and more stylish than ever before. Some sit behind the ear,


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.