His knowledge in communication disorders has helped a wide range of patients, including both adults and children with hearing loss. He provides screenings, hearing tests, aural rehabilitation and has an extensive knowledge of both conventional and digital hearing instruments.
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How many people with hearing loss do you know? This can be a tricky question to answer as hearing loss is often an invisible disability. Unlike people with vision impairment, who often wear glasses that make others aware of their disability, people with hearing loss find themselves having to explain the issue to strangers and new people over and over again.
Because hearing loss is not immediately visible for most people, it can be easily overlooked and assistance may not be offered even where it is available. Many people of all ages live with hearing loss, and many of them find it hard to access the support that should be available to them because others are not aware of their impairment. It would be great make hearing loss more visible in our communities, and here are some ideas on making this happen:
Making Hearing Loss More Visible:
Talk about it. The more we discuss hearing loss, the more awareness is raised. Most people want to understand and are simply not aware that hearing loss is such a common problem. Talking about your experiences, and telling people that you have hearing loss, can be a very important way to break down barriers, and it gives you an opportunity to explain how others can help you to participate in activities and social occasions more easily. As understanding increases, life becomes easier for everyone with hearing loss and the stigma surrounding the condition begins to break down.
Tell others how they can help. When you live with hearing loss, you develop strategies to make your daily experiences easier. If you find it is easier to converse in a well lit area, or to sit at a round table, you will find that people are pleased to be able to help. Asking someone to face you and keep their mouth uncovered when speaking gives them the opportunity to help you and any other hearing impaired people they know.
Laugh about it. Misunderstandings can be very frustrating, but they are often
also funny. If you can keep your sense of humour, you will feel less stressed about missing things or feeling confused, and remember that, especially when you are communicating with children, laughing together can create a special moment even if you didn’t hear exactly what was said.
Be prepared to repeat yourself. You may feel that you are always asking others to repeat themselves, but being persistent about your own hearing loss is a very important way to make the condition more visible. Remind others that you need them to speak clearly, or that it helps if they face you when they talk. Because hearing loss is not a visible disability, it is easier for people to forget that they need to adjust their behaviour, so reminding them may be necessary until they become accustomed to this.
Book A Free Hearing Test at Hidden Hearing
Do you think that you may have hearing loss? The first step is to make an appointment to see an audiologist for a free hearing test, which will establish your base line hearing level. If you have developed permanent hearing loss, you can try a range of solutions, including hearing aids. You may not know that modern digital hearing aids are tiny and discreet; they offer a great hearing experience and others will not notice that you are wearing them.
Hidden Hearing is Ireland’s leading private provider of hearing care solutions, and our national network includes over sixty-five branches and clinics. Simply contact Hidden Hearing online today, or pop into your local branch.