Enhance your hearing and improve your life—enjoy a $500 voucher with selected hearing aids, specially designed to assist those facing hearing impairment, including options for noise-induced hearing loss and effective tinnitus treatment.
Hearing Health Services
Hearing Impairment
Hearing impairment, commonly referred to as hearing loss, signifies a partial or total inability to hear sounds in one or both ears. This condition can affect individuals across all age groups and may be either temporary or permanent. Hearing impairment varies in severity and is typically categorized into four main types:
Mild Hearing Loss: Individuals may experience difficulty hearing soft sounds or understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.
Moderate Hearing Loss: Those affected often find themselves frequently asking others to repeat themselves; hearing aids are frequently beneficial in these cases.
Severe Hearing Loss: At this level, individuals can only hear loud sounds, making communication without amplification quite challenging.
Profound Hearing Loss (Deafness): This type involves very limited or no hearing ability, where individuals often rely on lip-reading or sign language. Additionally, noise-induced hearing loss is a significant risk factor that can exacerbate these conditions, and seeking appropriate tinnitus treatment can be crucial for those who experience ringing in the ears.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus affects approximately 17 to 20% of Australians. If you've noticed a ringing in your ears or a change in your hearing, which could indicate hearing impairment or even noise-induced hearing loss, reach out to our friendly team about tinnitus treatment options and what you can do next.
Sudden Deafness
Sudden deafness, also referred to as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), is an unexpected and rapid loss of hearing—typically affecting one ear—that can happen over a period of up to 72 hours. In many instances, this hearing impairment occurs almost instantly or within a few hours, leading to a sensation that the ear has 'shut off.'
The characteristics of SSNHL include rapid onset, where hearing loss occurs suddenly or over a short timeframe (less than 3 days). The sensorineural origin indicates that the issue is within the inner ear or the auditory nerve, rather than the outer or middle ear. This condition is often unilateral, impacting only one ear. Additionally, it may be accompanied by symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing in the ear), dizziness or vertigo, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. For those experiencing noise-induced hearing loss, seeking appropriate tinnitus treatment is crucial.
Aged related Hearing Loss
Hearing loss, often referred to as hearing impairment, can occur suddenly or gradually, leading to a decrease in your ability to hear. This condition is particularly prevalent among older and elderly adults. Approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 experience some form of hearing impairment, and nearly half of those over 75 struggle with difficulty hearing. Additionally, factors like noise-induced hearing loss can contribute to these challenges, and many individuals seek tinnitus treatment to manage associated symptoms.
Diplacusis Explained
Diplacusis originates from the Greek words “diplous” and “akousis”, which translate to double hearing. This condition leads the individual to experience a dissonance in the pitch or timing of a sound between the ears, often associated with hearing impairment. Diplacusis is typically a symptom of sensorineural hearing loss, and there are various types of this condition.
The most prevalent type is diplacusis binauralis, where a person perceives the same sound differently in each ear. A specific variation of this condition, known as diplacusis dysharmonica, occurs when a sound is accurately heard in one ear but at a different pitch in the other. These two forms of diplacusis are sometimes referred to as ‘interaural pitch difference’.
Another type, diplacusis echoica, involves the perception of a sound being repeated or echoed in the affected ear. Lastly, diplacusis monauralis occurs when a single sound is perceived as two distinct sounds in one ear. This condition can also be significant for those experiencing noise-induced hearing loss or seeking tinnitus treatment.
Noise-Induced Hearing loss
Do loud noises ever hurt your ears? From televisions and construction work to heavy traffic and a bustling restaurant filled with conversations, the world is indeed a noisy place. This constant exposure can contribute to hearing impairment. While hearing loss may be part of the aging process, studies indicate that even exposure to as few as 90 decibels can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, whether temporary or permanent. So, how loud is too loud? This application will help you understand how everyday situations, such as meeting friends in a café or attending a rock concert, can impact your hearing, and it also serves as a tool for those seeking tinnitus treatment.