Better Hearing

Information and tips on improving your hearing

In a world full of noises and sounds, hearing is essential for everyday life. Unfortunately, many people suffer from hearing loss or impaired hearing. We provide tips and advice on how you can improve your hearing and enhance your quality of life in everyday situations.

The role of the brain in hearing

Hearing is not just a function of the ear, but also of the brain. Our ears pick up sounds, and our brain processes them so that we can understand them. Hearing loss can therefore also be a brain-related issue. A hearing test with a hearing care professional can provide insight into the extent of the hearing loss.

Hearing loss and hearing impairment

Hearing is one of the most important of the human senses. It enables us to communicate with others, perceive dangers and experience the world around us. Unfortunately, hearing can be impaired for various reasons, which can lead to hearing loss or even hearing impairment. In this section, we will explain these two terms in more detail and discuss the various ways in which they can be managed and hearing improved.

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is the loss of hearing in one or both ears. It can be congenital or develop over the course of a person’s life. The causes can be varied, such as an injury, an illness or age-related hearing loss. There are different degrees of hearing loss, ranging from mild to severe, and it can affect different frequencies. For example, a person may have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds whilst being able to hear low-pitched sounds normally. Hearing loss can also affect speech
comprehension, particularly in noisy environments or when several people are speaking at once.

Hearing aids

Hearing aids are small technical devices that improve hearing. They amplify sounds and make them more audible to the ear. There are various types of hearing aids, which can be individually fitted by a hearing care professional. Some hearing aids are worn behind the ear, others in the ear canal. Modern hearing aids can also be connected wirelessly to other devices, such as a smartphone or television. Hearing training can also help to train the ear and improve hearing ability. This involves special exercises designed to train the ear and the brain to process and understand sounds more effectively.

Hearing better and preventing hearing loss

It is crucial to protect your hearing and prevent potential hearing loss. Some people are genetically predisposed to hearing problems, but there are also many external factors that can affect hearing ability. Here are some tips on how to protect your hearing:

Reduce the volume: Loud sounds and noise are one of the most common causes of hearing loss. You should therefore try to reduce the volume of music, the television and other devices to a reasonable level. Even when listening to music through headphones, you should ensure that the volume is not too high.

Protection in noisy environments: Use ear protectors or earplugs during noisy activities, such as at a concert, when mowing the lawn or when using loud machinery.

Regular medical check-ups: A build-up of earwax can impair hearing and should therefore be removed regularly by a doctor. Other health issues, such as infections or middle ear conditions, can also affect hearing and should therefore be detected and treated early.

Avoid smoking: Smoking can impair blood circulation in the ear and thus increase the risk of hearing problems. If you are a smoker, giving up smoking can help protect your hearing.

Healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help keep your hearing healthy. Vitamins A, C and E, as well as the minerals magnesium and zinc, are particularly important.

Hearing better in everyday life

Hearing problems can significantly affect daily life and make it difficult to follow conversations, watch television or listen to music. Fortunately, there are a number of strategies and aids that can help you hear better in everyday life.

Communicating with loved ones

Communication with family and friends can be made more difficult by hearing loss. It is important to talk openly about the hearing loss and to inform your loved ones. This helps to avoid misunderstandings, and your loved ones can be considerate and supportive. For example, they can make sure to speak clearly and distinctly, reduce background noise and face the person affected when speaking.

Better hearing with technical aids

There are various technical aids that can make hearing easier in everyday life. These include:

Special telephones: There are telephones designed specifically for people with hearing problems. They have a higher volume and can also give visual signals when a call comes in.

Doorbell systems with light signals: These systems emit a light signal when someone rings the doorbell. This allows people with hearing difficulties to know when a visitor has arrived.

Induction loop systems: These systems transmit the audio signal wirelessly to the hearing aid or cochlear implant processor. They can be installed in various public venues, such as theatres or churches.

Hearing amplifiers: These devices amplify sounds, making them easier to hear. They can be helpful in various situations, such as when watching television or listening to music

Hear better with the OSKAR TV hearing amplifier from faller audio

A special aid designed to improve hearing whilst watching television is the OSKAR TV hearing amplifier from faller audio. The portable TV speaker, featuring special dialogue optimisation, amplifies speech whilst watching television, making it clearer and easier to understand without having to turn up the volume on the TV. The OSKAR TV hearing amplifier is easy to use and can be connected to any television. A valuable aid for people with hearing loss or hearing impairment, allowing them to enjoy their evening in front of the telly to the full.

Better hearing: How can you improve your hearing?

A decline in hearing can have many causes, ranging from a simple build-up of earwax to more serious problems such as damage to the inner ear. Fortunately, there are various methods to improve hearing or at least slow down further hearing loss.

Hearing tests and hearing care professionals

The first step towards improving your hearing is to accurately determine the extent of your hearing loss. A hearing test with a hearing care professional or an ENT specialist can provide information about the extent of your hearing loss and the nature of your hearing problems. The hearing care professional or doctor can then offer personalised recommendations and select a suitable hearing aid.

Better hearing thanks to hearing training

Another important step towards improving hearing is hearing training. Hearing is like a muscle - the more it is exercised, the better it becomes. Hearing training can help to train the ear and improve hearing ability. There are various exercises and programmes that train the brain and the ear to cope better with hearing loss.