Hearing Loss

Vital components of our daily lives include listening, communicating and social involvement. People with hearing loss are not able to fully enjoy the interactions and pleasures involved with conversations and phone calls, TV, radio and music, or even hearing sounds within the home.

Sensory change is a normal part of ageing and hearing loss is one of the most common. However there are ways of overcoming hearing difficulties to enjoy your usual activities and live independently.

The onset of age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis is most noticeable from age 50 and tends to progress gradually. It is estimated that 50% of Australians aged over 60 years are hearing-impaired.

Social effects

Being an invisible disability, hearing loss has an impact that may be overlooked, sometimes contributing to misdiagnosis or mismanagement of the underlying condition. Occasionally too, if a person misunderstands information due to hearing loss, this may be misinterpreted as confusion, forgetfulness or a sign of dementia. Hence accurate hearing assessment and diagnosis is vital.

Indicators of hearing loss

• any noticeable change in the ability to hear - face to face or on the telephone
• voices sounding muffled, indistinct or distorted
• frequent requests for words to be repeated
• trouble hearing in noisy settings
• needing TV/radio volume set higher
• speaking loudly, due to difficulty in hearing own voice level
• not responding to a question or giving an unrelated answer
• difficulty hearing the ring of the telephone or the doorbell
• feeling more tired due to extra demands on concentration

Common causes of hearing disorders

• age-related changes to the inner ear
• noise exposure (especially common in men)
• accumulated ear wax
• certain oto-toxic medications (side effects may aggravate hearing loss/tinnitus)
• other illnesses e.g. diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Meniere's disease
• the person may have an existing hearing loss from other causes (e.g. childhood infections).

Remember, hearing loss can occur across all age groups.

Associated symptoms

Other symptoms of an ear disorder may be present e.g. tinnitus or head noises - the noise may be mild or severe, continuous or spasmodic and likely to differ in sound for each individual; recruitment - loud noises become abnormally loud and sometimes cause discomfort. This may account for the commonly heard expressions ‘speak up – I can’t hear you’, ‘don’t shout – I’m not deaf’; vertigo (dizziness) or balance problems - there may be episodes of giddiness or general unsteadiness. However, these symptoms may have other causes so it is wise to have a thorough medical check-up.

Physiotherapists may be able to prescribe exercises or treatment to help maintain balance and mobility.

Communication tactics

When speaking to a person with a hearing loss:

• Gain attention before speaking.
• Maintain face-to-face contact, in good light.
• Avoid background noise wherever possible.
• Speak in a normal voice, with natural lip movement, at an unhurried pace.
• Introduce the topic to give extra clues and aid “educated guesswork” .
• Get to the point but avoid sudden changes of subject which may cause confusion.
• Where information is misheard, please repeat or rephrase message.
• Remember that a little patience and perseverance is well worthwhile.

Assessment and treatment

Some ear conditions affecting the outer/middle ear (causing conductive hearing loss) may be treatable, so early diagnosis is always recommended. Ask your doctor to refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist or an audiologist. Although there may be no specific medical or surgical treatment for other types of inner-ear hearing loss, the following approaches may help minimise hearing difficulties.

Hearing Aids A well-fitting hearing aid may help and a trial period is recommended. Due to improved technology, hearing aids can now be selected and adjusted to better match the individual’s hearing levels. You may need to allow yourself time to become accustomed to using a new hearing aid. Different styles of aids suit different people. For people who cannot benefit from hearing aids, other devices or approaches need to be considered.

The Australian Government Hearing Services Program helps holders of Pensioner Health Care Card, Gold Repatriation Health Card and other eligible Australian citizens and residents to obtain a comprehensive range of hearing services free of charge. These include: assessment by qualified hearing services practitioner; if a hearing aid is required, help to select an appropriate model from a range of devices; advice on how to get the maximum benefit from your hearing aid; and additional special services to meet your needs if you have complex hearing problems. Services are provided in both metropolitan and country areas. In addition, eligible people can obtain maintenance of their hearing aids and devices and a regular supply of batteries on payment of a small annual maintenance fee (no fee for eligible veterans). Visit the website of the Office of Hearing Services or 1800 500 726, TTY 1800 500 496 (free call).

People who are ineligible for this program have the option to purchase hearing aids from private audiometrists or audiologists. It is advisable to request a free trial period prior to purchase. Those with private health cover should check their fund regarding rebates.

Assistive devices

Various items are available to assist with TV or radio listening, telephones, doorbells and alarm clocks. Some items (audio-loop devices) are compatible with hearing aids that have a T-switch (or Telecoil) facility.

Smoke Alarm Scheme - Free supply and installation of a device providing an audible alarm, a flashing light and a vibrating pillow pad to alert a sleeper. Tel. 8203 8395, TTY 8203 8391, 1800 738 855 (country free call). Housing Trust tenants can apply through their regional coordinator or call 13 1288.

Telstra Disability Enquiry Hotline - disability catalogue available. Products can be viewed at Telstra offices and external agencies across metropolitan and regional areas. Amplified telephones and extension ringers may be obtained at no extra charge. Tel. 1800 068 424, TTY 1800 808 981 (free call).

Telephone Typewriters (TTYs) are text phones for individuals who cannot hear conversations on the telephone. Contact Telstra, TTY 1800 808 981.

The National Relay Service helps people who are deaf or have difficulty hearing, to make phone calls through a relay officer. You can speak normally and read the responses on your TTY. Calls are relayed by a relay officer. To make a relay call Tel./TTY 13 3677 or 1800 555 677 (to make toll-free 1800 calls within Australia).  

Other useful contacts

Better Hearing Australia Adelaide Inc. provides information, training, education and support for people with an acquired hearing loss. Tel. 8431 1397

Hearing Solutions offer consultation, assessment, counselling, training and education for all hearing-impaired people. Tel. 8203 8394, TTY 8203 8391.  

DeafSA - Offers group rehabilitation classes for clients who are new to hearing aid use and rehabilitation. For clients who do not use hearing aids, tips and skills are provided to help them improve the hearing they have. Tel. 8223 3335, TTY 8223 6530