Hearing
Every day we take our hearing for granted and overlook the crucial role it plays in how we operate and function daily.
Adult Hearing Assessments
Comprehensive Hearing Tests
Our comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessments are provided by a university qualified Audiologist. We do more than a basic hearing screening for hearing aids.
Digital Video Otoscopy
Pure Tone Audiometry
Speech Audiometry
Tympanometry
Children’s Hearing Assessments
Hearing Tests for Children
Specifically designed for children over the age of 5 years, our comprehensive children’s hearing assessments are available without the need for a referral.
Children specific
Middle ear infections
From 5 years of age
ent Referral pathway
Hearing Conditions
Tinnitus Care and Management
Everyone’s experience of tinnitus is different. Our role is to assist with accurate diagnosis and recommending appropriate management solutions.
Diagnostic testing
Personal Causal Factors
Management advice
Assistive devices
How the Ear Works
The outer ear captures sounds which then travel down the ear canal to the eardrum, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations then pass to the small bones of the middle ear, which increase the loudness of the sounds before they reach the inner ear. Within the inner ear, small hair cells move and release a chemical telling the auditory nerve to send an electric signal to the brain. The brain translates the electrical signal into what we know as sound.
In 2017, a study estimated the prevalence of hearing loss in Australia to be 3.6 million people (The Social and Economic cost of Hearing Loss in Australia, June 2017 (The Social and Economic cost of Hearing Loss in Australia, June 2017).
Signs of Hearing Loss
There are many signs that your ears may not be functioning properly. You may find:
- Family and friends report that you don’t hear as well as you used to
- Difficulty communicating with background noise
- Television volumes need to be higher than other family members prefer
There are three types of hearing loss; sensorineural, conductive and mixed.
- You have to ask people to repeat themselves
- People seem to mumble on a regular basis
- Difficulty hearing on the telephone
- Communication breakdown and relationship strain with your spouse or significant other
- You withdraw from social situations
- Increased tiredness or stress from trying to hear
- It is easier to understand others when you are looking directly at their faces
- You responded inappropriately because you did not understand someone’s question
- Turning one ear towards the speaker helps you to hear better
Types of Hearing Loss
The three types of auditory perception loss are:
1. Sensorineural Loss
2. Conductive Loss
3. Mixed Loss
Impact of Hearing Loss
Several recent studies have shown that untreated auditory perception loss may increase the risk of falling, cognitive decline and dementia
We understand that people tend to put off seeking treatment for hearing loss for a whole range of reasons. But several recent studies have shown that untreated auditory perception loss may increase the risk of falling, cognitive decline and dementia.
Even with mild auditory perception loss, your brain must work much harder to process a specific sound. This can impact your ability to remember the information. It is critical that you intervene in the early stages of auditory perception impairment to minimise the possible impact. For older people, a yearly hearing test will assist in identifying any auditory perception loss in its earliest stages. If auditory perception loss is detected, then early treatment will provide the best possible outcome.
Preventing Hearing Loss
If you cannot avoid loud noise, hearing protection is the key. Noosa Hearing can provide custom made earplugs to significantly reduce the noise to safe levels, whilst being comfortable in the ear.
Correct diagnosis and treatment of auditory perception loss will enable you to hear better, connect with your friends and family again and enjoy life to its fullest. We get great satisfaction from seeing our clients re-connect, feel included in the world around them again and feel good about themselves.
To enjoy the benefits of better hearing today, contact us at Noosa Hearing.
