Hearing Loss
Understanding Hearing Loss
Signs of Hearing
Loss
Recognising hearing loss in yourself or someone you know is the first step toward improving the situation. Common signs include:
Misunderstanding what people are saying
Difficulty hearing in noisy locations such as restaurants or social gatherings
Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
Speaking more loudly than necessary without realising it
Turning the television or radio up to a volume that disturbs others
Difficulties hearing clearly on the phone
Muffled or unclear hearing in everyday situations
Persistent ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears
Inability to hear high pitched sounds such as women's and children's voices or bird songs
Gradually withdrawing from social situations due to difficulty following conversation
Leading Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can develop at any age and for a wide variety of reasons. Understanding the most common causes can help with early identification and prevention.
In adults:
Excessive noise exposure
Age related hearing loss
Family history of hearing loss
Vascular and circulatory disorders
Growths within the ear
In children:
Middle ear problems, with 83% of Australian children experiencing acute otitis media before the age of three
Abnormalities in the growth of the skull
Family history of hearing loss
Congenital infections
Complications at birth
Other causes:
Bacterial meningitis and other infections
Traumatic injuries to the head
Ototoxic medications, including some chemotherapy agents
Infectious diseases such as mumps and measles
Types of Hearing Loss
You may be eligible to apply for free hearing services for veterans and pensioners and book a free hearing test if you’re an Australian Citizen or permanent resident, over 21 years of age and are a:
Conductive
Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot efficiently pass through the outer or middle ear. Sounds may seem quieter or slightly muffled, though clarity can often be restored by increasing volume. Essentially, a mechanical barrier is preventing sound vibrations from reaching the inner ear
Common Causes
Earwax blockage (cerumen impaction)
Middle ear infections (otitis media)
Fluid behind the eardrum
Earwax blockage (cerumen impaction)
Eardrum perforation
Problems with the ossicles, such as otosclerosis
Narrowing or malformation of the ear canal
Sensorineural
Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss reduces both volume and clarity and commonly affects the ability to hear speech in noisy environments.
Common Causes
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)
Noise exposure (workplace, concerts, machinery)
Genetic factors
Ototoxic medications
Viral or bacterial infections affecting the inner ear
Head trauma or neurological conditions
Mixed
Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural loss. For example, a person may have age-related inner ear changes alongside a middle ear infection.
Common Risk Factors for Hearing Loss
Long-term noise exposure
Family history of hearing loss
Increasing age
Chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes)
Frequent ear infections in childhood or adulthood
Use of ototoxic medications
— hearing protection
Protecting Your
Hearing
Noise induced hearing loss is one of the most common and entirely preventable forms of hearing loss in Australia, accounting for an estimated 37% of all cases. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can permanently damage the delicate hair cells inside the cochlea. Once damaged, these cells do not regenerate. Taking steps to protect your hearing now is the most effective way to prevent irreversible damage in the future.
At Acute Hearing Solutions, we offer a comprehensive range of hearing protection solutions tailored to different environments and lifestyles:
Custom-made noise attenuating earplugs: Also known as musician's earplugs, these are custom moulded to your individual ear canal and contain a precision filter that reduces noise to a safe and customisable level while keeping sound quality as natural as possible.
Passive custom-made earplugs: Custom moulded without a filter, these plugs aim to reduce as much noise as possible and are suited to very high noise environments where sound quality is not a priority.
Non-custom earplugs: A cost effective option available in a range of sizes for specific noise environments such as industrial workplaces, offering reliable protection without the need for custom fitting.
Ear muffs: An excellent choice for any loud environment, ear muffs generally provide higher levels of noise reduction than disposable plugs and are ideal when verbal communication is not required.
Disposable earplugs: Made from soft foam that moulds to the shape of the ear canal, these are a convenient single use option. They may not suit all users, particularly those with narrow or unusually shaped ear canals.
Custom-made sleep plugs: Crafted from soft silicone and custom fitted for overnight wear, sleep plugs reduce ambient noise comfortably throughout the night. Consistent sleep disturbance can have a significant impact on physical and mental wellbeing, and sleep plugs can play an important role in ensuring a restful and restorative night's sleep.
— which aid is right for you
Hearing aids for
your budget
Technology
High fidelity sound: state of the art technology to meet your hearing needs
Great sound quality across several bands
Superior sound quality across many bands
Exceptional sound quality across all bands
Automatic performance: speech clarity in noisy listening environment
Clear, effortless listening in some common listening environments
Clear, effortless listening in some common listening environments
Clear, effortless listening in some common listening environments
Antishock: eliminates uncomfortable noises without affecting speech
Whistle-free technology: eliminates annoying whistles and buzzing
Wireless technology: allows easy options for programming and use
Real sound: identifies the direction of sound
Wind block: enjoy hassle-free outdoor use
Binaural phone: ensures you can hear phone callers in both devices
Echo block: enjoy normal hearing in echoing environments
Zoom control: choose the direction of hearing focus
Learning features: allows the device to learn from how you use it
— which aid is right for you
Hearing aids for
your budget
Technology
High fidelity sound: state of the art technology to meet your hearing needs
Great sound quality across several bands
Superior sound quality across many bands
Exceptional sound quality across all bands
Automatic performance: speech clarity in noisy listening environment
Clear, effortless listening in some common listening environments
Clear, effortless listening in some common listening environments
Clear, effortless listening in some common listening environments
Antishock: eliminates uncomfortable noises without affecting speech
Whistle-free technology: eliminates annoying whistles and buzzing
Wireless technology: allows easy options for programming and use
Real sound: identifies the direction of sound
Wind block: enjoy hassle-free outdoor use
Binaural phone: ensures you can hear phone callers in both devices
Echo block: enjoy normal hearing in echoing environments
Zoom control: choose the direction of hearing focus
Learning features: allows the device to learn from how you use it
Book a Hearing Test for Children Today
