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Hearing loss affects more than your ability to hear conversations clearly, it can impact your whole life.
This article was made in partnership with Specsavers Audiology
It was during a staff meeting that Mary Quinane realised there might be something really wrong with her hearing.
The former school principal had come out of retirement to work as a learning and support teacher. But as she sat in a meeting to discuss information about the children she works with, she realised she couldn’t follow what was going on.
“It was really hard to hear people, especially if they were a little way away from me,” Ms Quinane said.
“I thought, well either they’re speaking quietly, or this is my hearing,” she added.
It wasn’t the first time Ms Quinane, 73, had suspected she was experiencing hearing loss.
She was also struggling in social situations where there was a lot of background noise, and even at home, the TV volume was up a lot louder than it had once been.
“It hit home when my kids said to me ‘Mum, you’re deaf. You’ve got to get your hearing checked’,” she said.
HOW HEARING LOSS AFFECTS YOUR LIFE
But beyond the actual hearing loss, Ms Quinane was experiencing a profound change in who she was.
“In my life I love to be social. I’m outgoing and I enjoy company,” she said.
“I thought I am going to miss out on conversions, and people will start giving up (on me)?”
Kathryn Launchbury, Senior Audiologist at Specsavers
She admits that thought led to a lot of anxiety about how she would live the rest of her life.
“I don’t want to be a non-person; someone who is around but not around. It was quite upsetting because I love engaging in people and I love engaging in speaking,” Ms Quinane said.
It’s a feeling many people with hearing loss experience, explained Kathryn Launchbury, Senior Audiologist at Specsavers.
“If someone has hearing loss, it can lead them to being socially isolated because they are struggling to hear and communicate. So they naturally withdraw,” Ms Launchbury said.
She added that because hearing loss happens gradually, people often don’t realise they are starting to struggle.“People can change their behaviour. They can become quite tired if they’re somewhere noisy.”
Ms Launchbury explained that hearing loss not only impacts the person affected, but it can be detrimental to their relationships.
“It can lead to conflict between family and friends. They feel the other person is deliberately not wanting to communicate with them.”
Sadly, Ms Launchbury said, hearing loss can lead to people becoming angry and aggressive, and even questioning their cognitive ability.
“It can lead people to think they might have some cognitive issues because they're answering questions incorrectly,” she explained.
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She said that even with all of these challenges, some people still find it hard to have their hearing checked.
“There is still a stigma around hearing loss,” she said. “People still think it’s associated with old age, but we see people in their 30s, 40s and 50s losing hearing.”
Ms Launchbury added that for people worried about the look of hearing aids, they can now often be quite subtle.
“People still see hearing aids as big and bulky - but they haven’t understood the changes in technology.”
She said once people get over the initial hesitation about seeing an Audiology Professional, they’re shocked at how much improved hearing can make a difference to their lives.
“Often it’s a surprise how much they’ve been missing.”
LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT OF HEARING AIDS
When Ms Quinane saw her Audiology Professional at Specsavers, and was fitted with hearing aids, she was thrilled with her results.
“It’s a revelation. I feel so much better.
“I can hear people in a conversation-type situation. And I am also able to engage in a meeting to make sure I have all the facts, and know what’s going on,” she said.
She explained that the hearing aids have made a difference to almost every aspect of her life.
Getting your hearing checked is a simple process
“There’s so much relief. I can engage with others. I can listen to TV and not have the kids say they can’t hear anything else because the TV is so loud. My kids have also said I’m not shouting anymore when I have the hearing aids in,” Ms Quinane said.
Ms Launchbury said Ms Quinane’s reaction was common, with most of the people she sees having an enormous sense of relief once their hearing aids are fitted.
“(They realise) life got easier. It’s not so difficult to hear people talking,” she said.
She explained that as soon as the hearing aids are turned on, people can suddenly hear sounds they haven’t experienced in many years.
“When we first fit them they’re hearing little sounds. They’re hearing things like really soft footsteps on carpet.
“They would have once been hearing these things when their hearing was good; but they’ve forgotten the world around us makes noise,” Ms Launchbury said.
She said beyond being able to hear these little sounds, getting hearing help can be truly life-altering for some people.
“I once had a son come in and said ‘we’re getting dad a hearing test because we suspect he has dementia’,” she said, explaining she realised quickly the father required hearing aids.
“They came back two weeks later, and got teary. The son said ‘we don’t think dad has dementia, he just couldn’t hear properly’,” she recalled.
“Getting hearing help can change someone’s life,” she said.
Specsavers Audiology Professionals are ready to support you throughout your journey to better hearing and will take the time to understand your individual needs with comprehensive testing of your hearing health available. Head into to your nearest Specsavers store or visit Specsavers.com.au/hearing to book an appointment.
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