Tinnitus
Learning About Tinnitus
The British Tinnitus Association defines tinnitus as ‘the sensation of hearing a sound in the absence of any external sound’. For most it is experienced as an unwanted sound in the head which can range from a low buzzing to a high ringing. Everyone’s experience with tinnitus is different, and it can affect you in different ways.
We’ve all experienced tinnitus at different times. Often it is temporary, perhaps after leaving a noisy environment, at work or a concert, where we experience a ringing sound which usually gradually goes away after some time or after a good night’s rest.
When you have tinnitus and a hearing difficulty the problems can seem worse. Modern hearing aids can be programmed to not only get the best out of your hearing but also to reduce the effect of tinnitus so that its presence is minimised. The correct hearing aids, properly programmed, will help you hear real sounds but will not amplify the tinnitus and so reduce its effect.
Tinnitus Solutions
Hearing aids are now available which can be programmed to provide a personalised and comforting background sound which can sooth the irritating sounds you hear and take your focus off them.
Most tinnitus sufferers also have a hearing difficulty so the first thing we would do is to have a discussion about how each problem is affecting you so that we can investigate the possibility of finding a combined solution to both.
Contact us today to discuss your particular situation and investigate your options, or to book your home visit.
Further information is available from the British Tinnitus Association or by downloading Learning About Tinnitus.
Hearing & Dementia
The Alzheimer’s Society states that there are five things to know about dementia:
- Dementia is not a natural part of ageing;
- Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain;
- It is possible to live well with dementia;
- Dementia is not just about losing your memory;
- There is more to the person than the dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Society further describes dementia as ‘a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become severe enough to affect daily life. A person with dementia may also experience changes in their mood or behaviour.’
The connection between hearing loss and dementia is not necessarily an obvious one. Even when you have good hearing it is often difficult to hear when there is background noise, for example. To maintain concentration for long periods in those situations is difficult and sometimes impossible.
What often happens, particularly for those with hearing difficulties, is that after a while they back out of the conversation and go into a world of their own. After more time the people you are with get used to you dropping out and leave you out of the conversation.
The difficulty here is that the more time you spend ‘in a world of your own’, the harder it gets to come out of it again. The pleasure of going out with friends is reduced and, in some cases, people gradually stop going out altogether so that they are now further isolated and, as a consequence, become vulnerable to spending even more time in that world of their own.
Act Quickly to Fight Hearing Loss
Adults with moderate to severe hearing loss are three to five times more likely to develop dementia. Adults with hearing loss can experience a 30-40% faster rate of cognitive decline than those with normal hearing.
When there is a hearing loss, the sooner something is done about it the better. The individual will be better able to communicate, reduce the possibilities of isolation and regain the confidence they once had to socialise and join in with family and friends.
Contact us today to discuss your particular situation, or to book your home visit so that we can explore how we can help you reconnect with those closest to you and maintain your healthy hearing lifestyle.
