Hearing loss can happen in many different ways, through work, lifestyle, or simply as a natural process.  But the important thing is to communicate about it and receive advice and support from friends, family, colleagues and hearing professionals.  We have created this page because would like to address your concerns about having hearing loss and wearing hearing aids.

Doesn’t hearing loss just affect elderly people?

No. For many hearing loss is believed to be purely related to age. If this misconception may have stopped you from taking a hearing check, then you could consider various screening schemes which provide hearing checks for schools, industries and newborn children.

You can click the link below for the official HSE document on screening for children. You could look particularly at pages 6, 7 and 20:

http://www.lenus.ie/hse/handle/10147/65223

Alternatively you could ask your employer about applicable hearing screening schemes.

Doesn’t hearing loss just happen naturally with age?

Not always. With so many lifestyle choices, more people than ever may have hearing loss. Loud music, loud engines, loud surround sound or sports like motor racing and shooting can all impact on your hearing. Taking a hearing check is an effective way of understanding your own hearing, and can alert you to potential  hearing damage that you might be able to prevent.

I’m worried about how other people see me and my hearing loss.
Remember that other people cannot see your hearing loss. People might instead think that you are overly shy or unconfident, agoraphobic, depressed or even stupid. If you have a hearing loss but do not wear a hearing aid to help you communicate then you cannot expect other people to know how to treat you. We all have different ways of behaving around different people, and if you are showing other people all the signs of depression or agoraphobia then this is how people may treat you.

Even if my music is too loud now, I can listen to it quieter when I’m older.

Not necessarily, because damage done to your hearing when you’re young is still damage done when you’re older, so you may not experience it until much later. And because hearing damage can be such a gradual process, you may not notice your hearing becoming worse. Using the right hearing protection and keeping the volume to a safe level are good ways to protect your hearing.

You can click here for information about Ascent’s work with the Noise Abatement Society, and click here for information about our recent Meet the Experts Day to spread the word about using MP3 players safely.

Should I get my hearing tested?

Yes! Taking a hearing check is a great way of understanding your own levels of hearing and identifying any problems. Identifying a hearing loss is the first step to treating it. Addressing any problems or emotional issues caused by hearing loss is difficult without knowing your own level of hearing first. If a check shows that you have a significant loss, you can receive advice from a hearing professional about the way the ear works, why the hearing loss has happened, how you may be able to manage it in daily life and possible ways to improve it.

I’m worried about admitting I have hearing loss.

It is common not to admit having hearing loss for many different reasons, like the fear of being labelled. But refusing to admit to a potentially serious health issue because of stupid preconceptions could cause further problems in the future. It may surprise you to know that if you stop someone mid-sentence and explain that you are struggling to hear them, they will not think any less of you. In fact they will go out of their way to help you understand what they are saying.

I’d feel embarrassed to wear a hearing aid.

Modern hearing aids are not embarrassing. As well as being very effective at addressing hearing loss, advances in technology make modern hearing aids slimmer, easier to use, more comfortable and more discreet to wear. They also don’t whistle any more.

I’m worried that a hearing loss could lose me my job.

A common line of thought is that being diagnosed with hearing loss may cause you to lose your job. All employers are obliged to provide for people of all abilities and your employer must help you to do your job. If you think you have lost your job because of a hearing loss, DeafHear can offer a free legal advisory service. If you would like to contact DeafHear please click on the following web link:

http://www.deafhear.ie/

I don’t know how I would cope with having a hearing loss.

Of course there is more to hearing loss than hearing itself, because it can have an emotional impact on yourself and others, and it can be a stressful time. But there are ways of approaching it that can have positive effects and help you to manage it. We at Advance want to help identify and manage your hearing loss as much as we possibly can.

I wouldn’t know who to turn to about having a hearing loss.

Please feel free to turn to us. Our priorities are you and your hearing. If you have any questions or concerns just get in touch by phone or email, or pop in to one of our Hearing Centres for a chat.

Can medication affect my hearing?

It is unclear whether medication can be linked to hearing loss. It is best to see your GP if you have any concerns about the possible side effects of medication you are taking. However other factors linked to your taking medication, such as stress caused by the illness / condition affecting you, may also be responsible for changes that you feel are affecting your hearing.