BUSINESS NEWS - The story of Mrs D, a sprightly socially active 90-year old will strike a chord with many of us as she often finds it difficult to hear in group activities.
Her children live overseas and her greatest need is to speak to them and hear her grandchildren's voices.
Her audiologist improved her quality of life by providing her with two hearing aids that have a telephone programme that enhances telephone frequencies.
It is only when one understands what hearing is, that you can fully understand what hearing loss means. The most important function of hearing is to provide us with the ability to understand and participate in communication enabling us to reach out to others. Hearing also provides the warning signals vital for one's survival.
Hearing loss implies impaired quality of life and must be approached in a holistic fashion. An individual with a hearing disorder must be evaluated and treated within the total ambit of their environment.
This individual has to schedule an appointment with a knowledgeable ENT or audiologist. A full and comprehensive hearing assessment must always be performed. The patient will be tested on his ability to discriminate different frequencies and sound intensities, his capability to hear and discriminate words.
A clear picture of the patient's general health and related factors must also be obtained.
- Can you still use the telephone and hear the TV?
- Can you function well in group situations?
- Can you determine where sound is coming from?
- Does your hearing problem influence your working environment?
If you answer no to any of the above questions, it is time to schedule an appointment at your audiologist.
Contact Ear Institute, 9 Gloucester Avenue George or www.earinstitute.co.za or
044 884 1956, they are ready to do your hearing assessment.
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