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Question: Is my iPod / MP3 player ruining my hearing? Answer: For the past few years it has been a widely held assumption that iPods are causing larger numbers of children and young adults to suffer hearing loss in some form. While it is more than likely that music played loudly on in-ear headphones will produce hearing loss, it is not exclusively the fault of the MP3 player or iPod. There are also additional factors such as concerts, clubs and speaker systems that can also contribute to the increased level of hearing loss in young people. There are currently studies under way to study how much iPods are to blame for hearing loss, but regardless of what conclusions they arrive at, consistently listening to loud music is more than likely going to lead to hearing loss. Question: Do I need a Hearing Test? Answer: Everyone should have a hearing test regularly. Not only does it allow a hearing aid audiologist to determine whether you are suffering hearing loss, it also helps to monitor any decline in your hearing. The extent of your hearing loss will determine exactly what steps you need to take to be able to live a full life, even with severe hearing loss. As people age, their hearing will normally decrease, but even younger people need to ensure that their lifestyles aren’t leading to premature hearing loss. You should ensure that even if your first hearing test shows perfect hearing, that you continue to have a hearing test done every few years so any future hearing loss isn’t missed. Question: What actually happens in a hearing test? Answer: Every hearing test can be a little different, depending on what the Hearing Aid Audiologist knows about your current hearing status as well as their knowledge of your lifestyle. Typically a hearing test will involve first checking the outer ear for any infections or build ups, which can cause temporary hearing loss. Then the audiologist will perform a test involving sounds of varying frequencies being played in each ear. The person being tested is required to press a button to signal each time they hear a sound. This test will allow the tester to assess with a great degree of accuracy whether there is any hearing loss and if so, where it is located as it may only occur in one ear. The results are displayed in an audiogram to show where exactly there is hearing loss. Once this is completed, the hearing aid audiologist will discuss potential options for hearing aids, if they’re necessary.
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