The first signs of hearing loss

One of the major causes of hearing loss is ageing. This is a natural phenomenon known as presbycusis. In fact, one in five people over the age of sixty has difficulty hearing properly. Over time, our hair cells in the inner ear deteriorate and stop functioning normally. Our brain receives less information, and our sound environment is impoverished.

Hearing loss does not appear overnight, and it does not affect all sounds in the same way. It is a gradual process that initially affects high-pitched sounds, and low-intensity sounds in general. However, the consequences are significant: we find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy environment, to understand women's and children's voices, to perceive decisive information. In addition, our ability to react to sound signals is affected, which can put us in danger.

It is therefore vital to be able to recognise that you are suffering from hearing loss so that you can take the necessary steps as soon as possible to recover satisfactory hearing.

Here are seven situations that indicate a deterioration in our hearing and should prompt us to consult a hearing aid specialist:

• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves.
• Turning on the television or radio at a volume that others find too loud.
• Having difficulty understanding conversations in noisy places.
• Having difficulty understanding the voices of women and children.
• Having the impression that others are mumbling. 
• Avoiding social situations that used to be pleasant.
• Being told by others that you have a hearing loss.

During a hearing test, the audioprosthetist will perform an audiogram to quantify the exact degree of hearing loss. They will then be able to suggest you the most appropriate solution to make you regain your functional hearing and enjoy satisfactory social interactions again.