Whether it’s the sound of birds chirping, your favourite song on the radio, or a loved one’s voice, so much of our lives is connected to what we hear.
It’s one of life’s most precious gifts, but sadly, it’s not something that’s shared by all Canadians. In fact, according to the Canadian Hearing Society, almost one in every four Canadian adults will experience some form of hearing loss during their lifetime. Furthermore, Statistics Canada (2012-13) estimated that approximately 4.6 million Canadians between ages of 20 to 79 had hearing loss, which works out to be almost 20 per cent!
We typically associate hearing health issues with ageing. But while this is the number one cause of hearing loss, it is not the only cause. Noise induced hearing loss is the second most common cause of hearing loss. The sad thing here is that this cause of hearing loss is preventable.
Unlike vision problems, hearing loss is invisible. Society tends to ignore hearing loss as people tend to believe in what they see. Yet hearing loss can have an impact on every aspect of our lives. Helen Keller said it best: “Blindness cuts people off from things; deafness cuts people off from people.”
“Hearing is our primary source of communication with the world around us,” says Dr. Ted Venema from NexGen Hearing, British Columbia’s premier hearing health provider. “As a result, hearing loss can affect everything from our relationships to our careers. Left untreated, hearing loss can make it harder to maintain relationships or perform day-to-day functions at work. A study published by the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders demonstrated that people with hearing loss are more susceptible to social isolation and depression.”
A modern solution
The good news is that it is possible to alleviate the problems associated with hearing loss. Early detection and intervention is key . Modern technology featured in today’s digital hearing aids can effectively address many of the symptoms associated with hearing loss. Unfortunately, there remains a rampant, outdated stigma associated with hearing aids.
The very mention of hearing aids probably conjures up images of squealing, beige-coloured banana-shaped devices behind peoples’ ears, but the technology used to combat hearing loss has come a long way in recent years.
“Modern advanced hearing aids are like super computers that have more processing power than your average desktop,” says Dr. Venema. “And thanks to technological advancements, they’re smaller than ever.
Today’s generation of hearing aids offer everything from digital noise reduction to Bluetooth connectivity with your smart phone. With thousands of models to choose from, there is a device to suit every need and lifestyle. Hearing aid technology that has the power to transform lives, so why hold back?
Take the test
Think about how many of your friends wear glasses. It’s probably quite a few of them, right? Now think about the number of your friends who you know that suffer from hearing loss. The chances are it won’t be the one in four that statistics suggest .
What causes this discrepancy? The number one cause according to the experts is awareness.
“We’re all used to getting our eyesight tested. But when was the last time you went for a hearing test?” asked Dr. Venema. “Early detection is vital to combatting hearing loss and yet few are regularly getting tested. That’s something that needs to change. If you were struggling to read a street sign, you’d go and get assessed by an optometrist. Then, why should hearing be any different?” At the very least, a hearing test gives you information, and information is power. You’ll walk out with far better understanding of your hearing heath than you had before.
May is Hearing Awareness Month, an occasion dedicated to raising awareness about hearing health. This year, NexGen Hearing is calling on all British Columbians to get their hearing tested, and they’ve made it easier than ever to have your hearing health checked.
NexGen Hearing is one of the first companies in Canada to launch an online screening test to help you determine your hearing health. The interactive test is free, fun and easy to use; plus, it only takes about 15 minutes to complete from the comfort of your own home. Once finished, a report is sent to you that will give you an overview of your hearing health and let you know whether it would be beneficial to visit a hearing professional for further testing. If you’d rather see someone in person (which is a better option), NexGen Hearing also offers free hearing evaluations at each of its 50 locations across BC.
“We are encouraging everyone across the province to become more aware by getting their hearing tested,” says Dr. Venema. “Even if you don’t think you have hearing loss, it’s good to find out what your baseline is, so that you can track your hearing health over time and catch problems before they start impacting your life.”
To find out more or to try the on-line test for yourself, visit NexGen Hearing’s free online hearing test. Alternatively, visit one of NexGen Hearing’s 50 BC locations where trained hearing professionals are on hand to talk to you about hearing health - and the options that are available to you!
