by Reconnect Audiology Network | Oct 31, 2022 | Hearing Health, Tips
A basic hearing test only establishes the amount of sound you can hear at different pitches, through the typical hearing pathway. Full diagnostic (advanced) and specialised tests assist to identify which specific area of your pathway, from your ear to your brain, may be responsible for hearing loss or other auditory symptoms. These are highly valuable as they differentiate between medically treatable problems and those that are amenable to rehabilitation. They may also contribute significantly to the strategies that you and your audiologists may decide to employ, to maximize your remaining hearing, or assist you with any abnormal auditory sensations.
by Reconnect Audiology Network | Oct 20, 2022 | Hearing Health, Tips
Why are dizziness and balance disorders related to changes in independence and our ability to think quickly?
Your balance-system (which includes your vestibular organs inside your ears and other components) is responsible for your orientation in the world. Your balance system keeps you upright and prevents you from falling. Essentially, it gives you motor confidence.
Deterioration in your balance system can happen slowly or from a specific incident. People who have poor balance or experience dizziness, become insecure about moving around without the help of someone else. They experience a significant drop in independence and a generally poorer quality of life.
People with balance problems find it difficult to do more “multitask’, especially when they are required to be moving. For example, most people are comfortable walking and talking at the same time, however, somebody with a balance/dizziness problem must concentrate too much on walking to manage a conversation. While talking they stop or slow down, to reduce the risk of falling.
Feeling dizzy can make you feel very tired. Fatigue means that you are less likely to engage with your world. You become isolated, and this can often lead to depression.
The good news is: Early intervention with a balance/dizzy problem can help patients regain better function. Audiologists can identify the cause, which can lead to medical treatment or balance rehabilitation.
Therefore, if you are experiencing problems with your balance or feel dizzy even from time to time, it is worth reaching out to an Audiologist for an assessment. It is vitally important get help because when your risk of a fall increases, people become vulnerable to injury.
Reach out today!
by Reconnect Audiology Network | Oct 10, 2022 | Hearing Health, Tips
Hearing loss can begin to isolate us from relationships with others. Because hearing loss makes interactions with others more difficult, we tend to withdraw or feel irritable or frustrated when we are interacting with other people, even becoming upset or angry when others unintentionally or intentionally do not facilitate good communication with us.
Withdrawal from interaction leads to spending more time isolated and alone, and can lead to depression, reduction of independence, and fewer opportunities to enjoy special moments with people who make our lives feel full and happy.
Research demonstrates that people who have untreated hearing loss, experience significant poorer emotional lives, filled with more negative emotions about themselves and others.
Human relationships are extremely important to us. We are fundamentally social creatures and therefore the ability to choose to communicate more easily is a gift we give ourselves to that we can be in the moment with people we care about, living the best life that we can, even with hearing loss.
If you find yourself experiencing larger amounts of isolation, depression, or loneliness, reach out to an Audiologist who can help you regain and reconnect you with your family and friends, as well ensuring that you life your best life every day.
by Reconnect Audiology Network | Oct 10, 2022 | Hearing Health, Tips
Covid struck all of us in a heartfelt place – because of our losses as individuals, as a society, but very much because of our loss of independence and consequent loneliness.
Mental health is as valuable as physical health, and as such, we should make every effort to care for ourselves. How can we ensure that we are caring for our mental health in the best way possible?
Of course, the cornerstones of mental health include getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and breaking away from work to refill the emotional jug with nature, laughter and recreation. But did you know that our mental health is highly reliant on the health of our relationships with others? The Mental Health Foundation of the United Kingdom (2022) reports that in a review of 148 studies, “the influence of social relationships on the risk of death are comparable with well-established risk factors for mortality such as smoking and alcohol consumption and exceed the influence of other risk factors such as physical inactivity and obesity”.
So what underpins good relationships?
Good communication and listening; an informed and active mind; and an independent and confident outlook, go a very long way to supporting our mental health. People with untreated hearing problems demonstrate higher levels of withdrawal, isolation, depression, and have a significantly greater risk of cognitive decline than those whose hearing losses are well-managed. Access to sound is fundamental to good connection with other people, and our world. Similarly, if we have an untreated balance problem, we have a greater fall risk. And due to a lack confidence and a much higher demand on our concentration, a balance disorder or dizziness can create fatigue and discomfort, which may also lead to isolation and loneliness.
The Audiology Professionals of the Reconnect Audiology Network recommend a hearing and balance check-up as soon as we notice change.
Early intervention saves lives, and quality of life.
Any Questions? Ask your nearest Audiologist today.
by Reconnect Audiology Network | Oct 4, 2022 | Hearing Health, Tips
Research demonstrates that untreated hearing loss puts people at risk for accelerated deterioration in brain function. This occurs for several reasons.
Firstly, hearing is one of our primary senses, bringing vital information about our environment to our decision-maker, the brain. Therefore, when hearing reduces the validity and clarity of information, it will affect the way the brain assesses the environment and results in poorer, less accurate decision-making.
In addition, people with hearing loss, tend to find noisier environments more difficult to function in. As a result, we avoid these situations. However, these situations are ones in which we meet other people socially, and therefore, where we gain new information and relate. Avoidance is missed opportunity for learning and growth.
In some situations, auditory pathway may be deteriorating at the same time as other nerves in the central nervous system. Early diagnosis of hearing loss can therefore alert healthcarers to the problem, allowing access to the right kind of stimulation at an earlier point. This can help to maintain better brain activity.
Finally, the nerve pathways from the ear are directly connected to the auditory area, and then are secondarily connected to many other areas involving language and memory. You can imagine that any deterioration in the provision of sound information therefore results in lack of practice for pattern recognition, poorer identification of information, and poorer retention of information. All of these can lead to generalised poorer brain function.
If you have hearing loss, it is vital to have an assessment with an Audiologist who could help to identify whether it is time to intervene. Early intervention can actively stimulate your system, and pro-actively ensure that your brain function remains optimal.
by Reconnect Audiology Network | Sep 29, 2022 | Hearing Health, Tips
Help your brain stay in-shape. Healthy hearing supports neural stimulation and may prevent cognitive decline. Research has shown that untreated hearing loss may lead to cognitive decline. It is therefore important to check your hearing on a regular basis.
Did you know that the effects of loss aren’t limited only to how well you can (or cannot) hear? Hearing loss of any degree does not only impact your ability to understand speech, hear certain pitches and participate in meaningful conversations – but it has a rather big “hidden” effect too. Research suggests that untreated hearing loss is often linked to a number of cognitive and mental health issues. When neural pathways in your brain that are used for hearing are left under-utilized, they are less likely to become active again. Much like missing out on physical exercise for years can limit your ability to “bounce back” once you start again at a later age- untreated hearing loss can have a similar effect.
Luckily, it’s not all bad news! Good hearing management can prevent the negative impact of hearing loss on your mental health and well-being. Timely intervention and appropriate treatment will not only improve your access to sound, but will also “train” your brain, using much needed stimulation.
So, It’s not just about treating your hearing, but also about fully utilising your brain. Your overall well-being is strongly linked to healthy neural pathways that are not missing out on vital stimulation.
Care for your ears and your mind, see your Audiologist!
This article was written by our RAN member:
Carlett Buys
