www.signia-hearing.co.uk

Your guide to better hearing.

• Causes of hearing loss

• Its not true that only old people have poor hearing

• The ear – a miracle of nature

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ContentsWhy good hearing is so important in our everyday lives 4

Causes of hearing loss 6

Effects of hearing loss 7

How to recognise the first signs of hearing loss 7

The ear – a miracle of nature 8

Its not true that only old people have poor hearing 10

Good communication tactics 12

Different types of hearing aids 14

Advanced technology inside a hearing aid 16

What type of hearing aid do I need? 18

What will happen at my appointment? 19

When Tinnitus calls the shots 20

Frequently asked questions 22

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Your guide to better hearing.

Why good hearing is so important in our everyday livesOur hearing plays an important role in how we interact with the world around us. It facilitates the forming of relationships and opens up a wealth of sensory experiences. It is also very complex and extremely sensitive, so let’s give it the attention it deserves...

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Why good hearing is so important in our everyday lives

Most people with normal hearing don’t think twice about what it means to have good hearing. Chatting with friends, listening to the sounds of nature, enjoying music or even hearing warning signals – they take it all for granted.

Did you know that hearing aid technology now offers dedicated music programs which are uniquely designed to enrich the sound quality and maximize the enjoyment of music. This technology enables hearing aid wearers to enjoy music whether listening to recorded music, attending a live concert, playing or making music.

• Decreased attention

• Diminished understanding of speech

• Trouble communicating with others

• Diminished memory

• Less willing to embrace the unknown

• Declining job performance

• Lack of acknowledgement by others

• Irritability, stress, depression

• Withdrawal from social life, isolation

Possible impacts of hearing loss:

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It’s only when our hearing starts to deteriorate significantly, that we realise just how important our hearing is in our everyday lives, and how much we miss it when we no longer hear well.

Your guide to better hearing.

Causes of hearing loss

Factors that may affect your hearing:

• In many cases hearing loss is just part of the ageing process

• Long-term exposure to noise

• Hereditary factors

• Illness/infection

• Reaction/side-effects to medication

• Injury

• Blockages of the ear such as wax

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Your guide to better hearing.

Ten questions to assess your hearing:

YES NO

Do the people around you seem to mumble and not speak clearly?

Has anyone ever told you that they often have to repeat things for you?

Is it hard for you to understand when someone talks to you from behind or from the side?

Does it take a lot of effort for you to understand someone if they talk quietly or whisper?

Do you have trouble hearing high-pitched tones (music, birdsong, children’s voices, etc.)?

Is it difficult for you to follow conversations in loud environments, for example, in restaurants?

Do you tend to go out less because it is hard for you to follow other people’s conversations?

Has anyone ever asked you to turn down the volume of your television or radio?

Do you have difficulties hearing someone at the other end of the telephone?

Do you have trouble recognising the direction from which a car, for example, is approaching?

Effects of hearing lossIf communication is impaired through hearing loss, it can irritate you and those you’re trying to communicate with. You might find that not being able to communicate clearly with those closest to you causes you both frustration and upset.

Think about the people you communicate with in your day-to-day life. Who are the most important people you want to be able to hear and in which situations? Take a look at the examples opposite which show a number of situations where hearing loss can put a strain on communication and relationships. Are any of them familiar to you?

How to recognise the first signs of hearing loss...We are often unaware of how well or poorly we hear on an everyday basis. To find out how good your hearing is, simply answer the questions opposite. In the next few days, pay particular attention to the everyday situations described.

You can also test your hearing by taking an online hearing test at: www.signia-hearing.co.uk

If you have ticked “YES” four or more times, we recommend you contact a Hearing Care Professional.See details on back cover.

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The ear is an amazing and incredibly skilled organ that performs the wonderful and highly complex task of hearing. It can distinguish between 7,000 different pitches and enables the brain to locate sound sources...

How hearing works:

Outer ear Middle ear Inner ear

Pinna

Ear canal

MalleusIncus

Tympanic membrane (eardrum)

StapesCochlea

Auditory nerve

Outer ear: The outer ear picks up sound and transmits it to the eardrum via the ear canal.

Middle ear: The sound makes the eardrum vibrate and is amplified by the ossicles (three tiny bones Malleus, Incus, Stapes).

Inner ear: The cochlea converts movements of the ossicles into electrical signals. The auditory nerve transmits these to the brain.

The ear – a miracle of nature

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140 dB120 dB100 dB

80 dB60 dB40 dB20 dB

0 dB

• Infections or chronic illnesses

• Injuries

• Genetic factors

• Medication that can damage hearing

• Exposure to ongoing or extreme noise

• General wear and tear

Possible causes of hearing loss:

No two cases of hearing loss are the same. However, most often people with a hearing impairment are unable to distinguish soft tones and high pitch sounds and have difficulties hearing sounds such as whispers, children’s voices or bird song.

The understanding of speech also suffers because, many of the sounds important for understanding speech are soft, high pitch sounds such as “s” or “th”. These are sounds that help us determine the difference between “path” and “pass”.

However paradoxical it may sound, increasing the volume is of limited help. Most likely, people with a hearing impairment need clarity, not volume. Hearing impairments can occur in all parts of the ear; dysfunctions of the outer or middle ear can generally be treated with medication or surgery.

However, a good 80% of all hearing impairments are caused by dysfunctions of (or damage to) the inner ear. Today, modern hearing aids can compensate for most inner ear damage.

What does hearing loss mean?

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Your guide to better hearing.

• Only 35% of all people with hearing loss are over the age of 64.(1)

• Only 5 – 10% of all cases of hearing loss in adults can be treated medically or surgically.(1)

• More than 360 million people around the world have a hearing impairment.(2)

• Worldwide, 8.5% of all people between the age of 20 and 30 suffer from hearing loss.(3)

• Many people with hearing loss wait as long as 10 years before they do something about it.(4)

It’s untrue to say that only older people suffer from hearing loss, as poor hearing is widespread across all age groups.

Increasingly, more and more young people are suffering from hearing impairments, due to listening to excessively loud music through headphones. Your profession can also impact upon your hearing; construction workers, ambulance drivers, engineers, agricultural and factory workers are all examples of professions where loud noise can have a lasting and damaging effect on your hearing.

Sources:

(1) Better Hearing Institute

(2) Global Burden of Hearing Loss in the Year 2000, World Health Organization (WHO, 2003); Deafness and Hearing Impairment, World Health Organization (WHO, 2006)

(3) Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Differences by Demographic Characteristics Among US Adults Data From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2004

(4) Action on Hearing Loss

Its not true that only old people have poor hearing

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Your guide to better hearing.

Here are some tactics that may help you hear more easily. It may be helpful to introduce them to your family and friends.

If you are experiencing difficulties communicating with a particular person or in a specific situation, the best thing to do is explain these tactics to them as it’s likely they are not aware. Once they understand this, they can help make the situation easier for you.

Before you start to speak to me, make sure you are in the same room as me

and you have my full attention.

“Get my attention”

It is easier to hear when there is good lighting and not too many noises and distractions.

“Find asuitable

placeto talk”

If I don't understand what you are saying, try and say it in

a di�erent way and slow down.

“Don’tspeak too

fast”

Use plain language and don't wa�e.

“Get tothe point”

Always turn and face me when you talk. It helps me pick up any visual clues you might give me.

“Face me”

Keep your voice at a normal level. Shouting can distort speech making

it more di�cult to understand.“Don’t shout”

“Don’tcover your

mouth”Speak clearly and use normal

lip movements, natural facial expressions and gestures.

Good communication tactics

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Before you start to speak to me, make sure you are in the same room as me

and you have my full attention.

“Get my attention”

It is easier to hear when there is good lighting and not too many noises and distractions.

“Find asuitable

placeto talk”

If I don't understand what you are saying, try and say it in

a di�erent way and slow down.

“Don’tspeak too

fast”

Use plain language and don't wa�e.

“Get tothe point”

Always turn and face me when you talk. It helps me pick up any visual clues you might give me.

“Face me”

Keep your voice at a normal level. Shouting can distort speech making

it more di�cult to understand.“Don’t shout”

“Don’tcover your

mouth”Speak clearly and use normal

lip movements, natural facial expressions and gestures.

Before you start to speak to me, make sure you are in the same room as me

and you have my full attention.

“Get my attention”

It is easier to hear when there is good lighting and not too many noises and distractions.

“Find asuitable

placeto talk”

If I don't understand what you are saying, try and say it in

a di�erent way and slow down.

“Don’tspeak too

fast”

Use plain language and don't wa�e.

“Get tothe point”

Always turn and face me when you talk. It helps me pick up any visual clues you might give me.

“Face me”

Keep your voice at a normal level. Shouting can distort speech making

it more di�cult to understand.“Don’t shout”

“Don’tcover your

mouth”Speak clearly and use normal

lip movements, natural facial expressions and gestures.

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Your guide to better hearing.

There are three basic types of hearing aids:

Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) and In-the-Ear (ITE) systems. Finding the right type of aid for you will depend on:

• your level of hearing impairment

• the shape and size of your ear

• the kind of lifestyle you lead

Your Hearing Care Professional will be able to advise you on which aid would suit you best.

As the name suggests, Behind-the-Ear aids sit behind the ear and are discreet and comfortable. Receiver-in-Canal hearing aids have an external receiver that sits directly in the ear canal (RIC). BTEs and RICs come in many different performance levels, colours and designs.

In-the-Ear aids are worn directly in the ear. ITEs are custom-made based on the anatomy of your ear and sit either in the bowl of the ear or deep in the ear canal, providing you with a very discreet hearing solution. ITEs are available in different performance levels and in several shell colours to blend in with your skin tone.

Different types of hearing aids

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MINI RIC (Receiver-in-Canal)

Power BTE(Behind-the-Ear)

BTE (Behind-the-Ear)

Full Shell ITE (In-the-ear)

CIC/IIC (Completely-in-Canal)

Half Shell ITE (In-the-ear)

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Instant Fit

SLIM RIC(Receiver-in-Canal)

RIC(Receiver-in-Canal)

Your guide to better hearing.

Advanced technology inside a hearing aid

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Chip

Receivertransmits the sound

Microphonepick up the sound

ITE In-the-ear Custom hearing aid

Advanced technology inside a hearing aid

Microphonespick up the sound

Receivertransmits the sound

Mini-chipprocesses the sound in accordance with individual hearing needs

Tube with earpiecedelivers the amplified sound to the ear

Batterypowers the aid

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BTE Behind-the-ear hearing aid

Your guide to better hearing.

OPTIMUMHEARING

INSTRUMENT

Anatomy of the ear

Degree of hearing loss

Personal lifestylerequirements

In which of the following situations do you wish you could hear better?

very important important

not important

During a one-on-one conversation in a quiet environment

When talking in restaurants or at parties

At meetings or conferences

When driving

When watching television, listening to music or in the cinema

What is particularly important for you in a hearing aid?

very important important

not important

Maximum discretion

Ease of use

Automatic control

Discreet remote control

Compatibility with modern entertainment and communication technology, such as television, PC, mobile phone

What type of hearing aid do I need? There is no “one size fits all” answer to hearing loss, as each solution is as unique as its wearer.

• When choosing a hearing aid, there are many factors which have to be taken into account; for example, is discretion important to you?

• Do you lead a particularly active lifestyle?

• Or do you have to attend lots of meetings?

These are just a few of the things to consider when choosing the type of hearing aid that is right for you. Take your answers to your hearing care professional to help in the decision making process.

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In which of the following situations do you wish you could hear better?

very important important

not important

During a one-on-one conversation in a quiet environment

When talking in restaurants or at parties

At meetings or conferences

When driving

When watching television, listening to music or in the cinema

What is particularly important for you in a hearing aid?

very important important

not important

Maximum discretion

Ease of use

Automatic control

Discreet remote control

Compatibility with modern entertainment and communication technology, such as television, PC, mobile phone

What will happen at my appointment?

The Hearing Care Professional will:

• Ask you questions about

– your hearing difficulties, e.g. hearing your family and TV.

– any ear pain, infections, noises in your ears etc.

• Look in your ears.

• Perform a simple hearing test.

• Discuss and agree with you the best options available for you.

• This may include fitting hearing aids.

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Your guide to better hearing.

Our world is alive with sound. Laughter, music, waves breaking on the shore - all these sounds enrich our lives and deepen our understanding of the world we live in. However, what happens when one sound suddenly takes control?

When Tinnitus calls the shots

• 10% to 15% of the population suffer from chronic tinnitus (over six months).(1)

• The prevalence of tinnitus is correlated with degree of hearing loss; however, all levels of hearing loss can experience tinnitus.(1)

• About 20% of patients with tinnitus find the symptoms difficult to bear.(2)

• Over 90% of people with tinnitus are also affected by hearing impairment.(3)

• Tinnitus is a common disorder with many possible causes.(4)

• Tinnitus mechanisms are often related to spontaneous activity of nerve fibres.(5)

A tinnitus diagnosis often catches people unaware. Unfortunately, for some patients their complaint is incurable. This often leads to patients feeling isolated and disheartened. Although there is no specific medication or cure for all types of tinnitus, there are ways to find relief and come to terms with it – for you and your loved ones: it is all about learning to live with tinnitus and to control it, instead of it controlling you.

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Sources:

(1) Kochkin, S., Tyler, R. and Born, J. MarkeTrak VIII: Prevalence of Tinnitus and Efficacy of Treatments, The Hearing Review, Vol. 18 (12), November 2011,pp. 10-26

(2) Langguth B, Kleinjung T, Fischer G, Hajak P, Eichhammer P, Sand PG. Tinnitus severity, depression and the big five personality traits. Prog Brain Res. 2007; 166:221-7.

(3) Barnea G, Attias J, Gold S, Shahar A. Tinnitus with normal hearing sensitivity: Extended high-frequency audiometry and auditory-nerve brain-stem-evoked responses. Audiology 1990; 29:36-45.

(4) Crummer RW; Hassan GA. Jan, 2004.

(5) Tyler, R. Tinnitus Handbook, 2000.

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Your guide to better hearing.

Q. Are Hearing aids unattractive?

A. Today, hearing aids are available in a wide range of designs, styles and colours, so you are sure to be able to find something that suits you.

Q. Are all hearing aids big and clumsy?

A. No! Technology has advanced significantly in recent years, and some hearing aids are so small and discreet that they go totally unnoticed.

Q. I love to exercise; will I be able to continue swimming and running with my hearing aid?

A. Yes! Some hearing aids are not only extremely robust but also water resistant. Let your Hearing Care Professional know what kind of lifestyle you lead so they can find the right aid for you.

Q. What kind of care and maintenance do hearing aids need?

A. Your hearing aid will need to be cleaned regularly to remove any moisture, dirt or build up of ear wax. You will also need to check the battery level and replace any batteries when they no longer work. There are rechargeable options available.

Frequently asked questions

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Your guide to better hearing.

Dispenser:

The information in this document contains general descriptions of the technical options available, which do not always have to be present in individual cases and are subject to change without prior notice.

The required features should therefore be specified in each individual case at the time of conclusion of the respective contract.

Legal ManufacturerSignia GmbHHenri-Dunant-Strasse 10091058 ErlangenGermany

Signia GmbH is a Trademark Licensee of Siemens AG.

United Kingdom Sivantos LimitedPlatinum HouseSussex Manor Business ParkGatwick RoadCrawley RH10 9NHPhone: 01293 423700www.sivantos.co.uk

Sivantos Limited is a Trademark Licensee of Siemens AG © Signia GmbH 11.2018 | JN9605

www.signia-hearing.co.uk