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Cochlear Implant or Hearing Aid – Which is Better?

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When a person is experiencing hearing loss, it affects their life, relationships, and work. Conversations can become difficult to understand and follow, words and sounds can seem muffled, and listening to phone calls, music or television can become exhausting.  While the most common solution for the problem of hearing loss is the hearing aid, some individuals may require cochlear implants to help them hear better.  What Exactly Is Hearing Loss? Hearing loss occurs when a part or more of the ear - the eardrum, hearing bones, cochlea, hearing nerve, and/or the brain encounter problems. Exposure to very high noise levels, genetics, excessive earwax, and aging may cause either temporary or chronic loss of hearing. The degree of hearing loss and its type can vary from one person to another. The common types of hearing loss are: Conductive – when sounds are unable to travel from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear Sensorineural – when the hearing nerve or inner ear structures...

Decoding the Difference Between Cochlear Implants And Hearing Aids

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Letting your hearing loss go untreated raises several issues, such as social disengagement, loneliness, anxiety, despair, and even dementia. Thankfully, there are now more treatments for hearing loss than ever. Although several people can benefit from wearing  hearing aids , individuals with more profound hearing loss require  cochlear implants . An overview of each and how they can benefit you is mentioned below. What are Hearing Aids? Hearing aids  are tiny electrical devices that enhance external sounds to a level that the ears can hear. After a thorough hearing evaluation, they are prescribed by hearing healthcare professionals. Kids and adults with mild to moderate sensorineural deafness benefit most from hearing aids. Hearing aids come in a variety of designs, such as behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), and in-the-canal (ITC). They come in various sizes and features to suit your aesthetic choices. Modern features like background noise re...

Sydney Cochlear Implants For Hearing Impaired Children

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Hearing loss can happen at any stage of life from birth to adulthood. That’s why it is recommended that babies must be screened with a hearing test at an age no later than 1 month. In case, if it is missed, children must pass through a hearing screening before they enter the school. The sooner, the better! How does hearing loss affect children? Children who suffer from hearing loss face difficulties in the development of speech, language, and even social skills. Moreover, it also affects their learning and self-esteem. According to the World Health Organisation, if hearing loss is left untreated then it could also lead to academic underachievement and thereby reduce the chances of employment in the future. How to deal with a child who doesn't respond to sound? For children who do not respond to sound, it is advisable to seek medical help immediately for arranging a  kid hearing test .  If your child fails the test, opt for a full hearing test for identifying the root cause of ...

The myth about Invisible Hearing Aids

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If you are suffering from moderate or mild level hearing loss, your audiologist may suggest using invisible hearing aids. These devices are worn inside the ear and can be used by everyone, irrespective of their age. Invisible hearing aids are not visible to the naked eye and are one of the best ways to shield your hearing deficiency from the public eye.  They can be linked to TVs, MP3 devices, computers, and landline/mobile phones because of their wireless capability and provide great comfort. Invisible hearing aids have an in-built advanced sound processing and noise reduction that helps eliminate disruptive background noises.  Since Australia has a high rate of hearing loss, people from cities like Sydney have been purchasing invisible hearing aids that are virtually unnoticeable. However, certain myths about invisible hearing aids need to be debunked. 3 Myths about Invisible Hearing Aids The smaller, the better: One of the most common myths about invisible hearing aids is ...

What is the importance of hearing tests?

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Did you know that around 3.6 million people in Australia have some hearing disability? You will be surprised to know that 1 in 3 Australians experience some hearing loss. Millions of people in Australia and across the globe are living with a hearing condition that could have been easily prevented and cured if they had taken a hearing test earlier.  Therefore, if you or someone close to you is experiencing hearing issues, the first thing you need to do is go for a hearing test. It can diagnose medical conditions and help identify potential problems that can cause hearing loss in the future. Several independent audiology clinics in Sydney provide all kinds of hearing tests. You can seek expert advice from professional audiologists, and if needed, get products like hearing aids.  Need for taking a hearing test Hearing connects us to the rest of the world. It allows us to listen to our loved ones, learn new things, gain knowledge, and stay updated with the world around us. For ki...

Important Pointers to Know about Kid's Hearing aids

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Sometimes, young children can suffer from hearing issues. It might be heart-wrenching to see little ones requiring machines to hear well. However, if you keep this problem unattended for long, it can pave the way to many other issues, including trouble in speech. So, as a responsible parent, you might want to know some basic yet imperative things about tackling hearing issues for children. What indicates that a baby or a child is having trouble hearing? Some indications that your kid might need a hearing aid include: Not normally reacting to any type of sound. Not getting startled at any sudden noise. Having issues locating the source of voice or noise. Slurry speech or any delay in speech development. What can be the risk factors for my child developing hearing Impairment? Several situations might call for the need to consider  a kid's hearing test . Some common factors include: Constant exposure to sharp or screeching loud noise Use of Ototoxic drugs in children. Certain groups ...

What Happens After Cochlear Implant Surgery in Adults and Children

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Some people are still sceptical about the outcome of a cochlear implant .  The scepticism is because of their unawareness of what to expect post-surgery. What precisely happens after the implant?  Once the effect of the anaesthesia is gone and the patient gets conscious, the individual may feel: A sense of pressure or uneasiness in the affected ear Dizziness and nausea  A sense of disorientation or confusion for a while A sore throat is caused by the breathing tube used for general anaesthesia.  The patient should expect to:  Have the ear bandaged for sometime To be released after a day or two following the surgery  Have the stitches on for a few days  Get instructions from the doctor about taking care of the stitches, using water when washing or shampooing, bathing or showering, diet, and general overall care. Follow up with the surgeon to have the stitched removed and the implant site inspected.  Has the implant activated after 3 to 6 weeks foll...