Understanding your hearing test results

 

Why have a hearing test?
There are many reasons to have a hearing test. The most obvious is a self-referral when a hearing loss is suspected and a hearing test is needed to confirm the suspicion. Others need hearing tests as part of their employment if working in environments that may be hazardous to hearing. Others will be referred to an Audiologist by a Doctor to investigate symptoms, prior to certain medical treatments begin such as chemotherapy, or to obtain a baseline hearing test result before seeing an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist.

An Audiologist will conduct a series of hearing tests to determine the nature and extent of the hearing loss. Accurately understanding hearing test results is important. It will help you understand why you are having trouble in certain situations, such as having difficulty in a noisy environment while hearing well in one on one conversations. Alternatively, you may find that you can hear words but often misunderstand what is said. Understanding your hearing test results will make it easier to understand any recommendations made by your Audiologist, as well as improving your understanding of what your Audiologist is aiming to achieve with hearing aids. 

Pure tone Audiometry
Pure tone Audiometry is the main test used to assess hearing. This is a behavioral measure and relies on a patient responding (usually by pressing a button) to a series of tones varying in intensity and pitch. The softest sound that can be heard at each pitch or frequency tested is then depicted on a graph known as an Audiogram.

How to read an Audiogram
An Audiogram is basically a visual representation of your hearing ability. Across the top of the audiogram are the different frequencies (or pitches) from a low frequency at the left side of the audiogram, becoming increasingly high frequency across to the right side. Frequencies are measured in Hertz (Hz).
Down the left side of the audiogram is the sound level, which is measured in decibels (dB). Which ranges from very soft at the top of the graph to very loud at the bottom.
The responses recorded on the graph are the softest tones that can be heard at each frequency. The right ear is recorded as O and the left as X .
The Audiogram will also have other symbols to indicate how well you hear through bone conduction (a part of testing which bypasses the middle ear, which instead sends vibrations to the inner ear). These hearing test results are used by the Audiologist to determine the nature of the hearing loss.
The loss can be sensorineural, meaning it is a permanent loss caused by damage to the inner ear. Or it can be conductive, caused by damage to the outer or middle ear. A conductive loss when treated, can in some circumstances result in the hearing being improved or completely restored.

The closer to the top of the graph, the better the hearing is. The closer to the bottom of the graph, the greater the hearing loss.

An Audiogram often has horizontal sections identified to help explain the results.
The top section from -10dB to 20dB represents normal hearing.
The second section from 20dB to 40dB represents a mild hearing loss.
The third section from 40dB to 70dB represents a moderate hearing loss.
The fourth section from 70dB to 90dB represents a severe hearing loss and the final section from 90dB+ represents a profound hearing loss.

Word recognition testing
Testing is conducted to test your brain’s ability to understand words and to determine the optimum performance i.e. what is the best-case scenario with adequate volume?

Tympanometry
Tympanometry is a test of the middle ear function. By testing the mobility of the eardrum and middle ear structures, information can be obtained which can help in the diagnosis of middle ear problems.

Acoustic Reflexes
Acoustic reflex testing measures the contraction of a small muscle in the ear in response to a sound stimulus. This provides information that, when combined with other test results, can contribute to a diagnosis.

Interpreting the Audiogram
You now understand the hearing test and know how to read the Audiogram but what does that really mean?

• Is there a hearing loss present? If all the symbols on your audiogram ( < / > [ / ] , O / X ) are in the top section of the graph (-10dB to 20dB), there is no hearing loss present.
• If some or all the symbols are in the other sections, there is hearing loss present and your Audiologist will discuss whether you would benefit from a hearing aid or further investigation.
• If the bone conduction scores ( < / > [ / ] ) are better than your air conduction scores ( O / X ) then you have a conductive hearing loss and your Audiologist would advise further investigation.

It is important to realize that hearing losses are rarely “flat”. Quite often the pattern is sloping, with the low frequencies being in the normal range and the middle and high frequencies sloping to a mild or moderate loss. The hearing difficulties that are noticed in daily life relate to the specific frequencies that are affected by an individual's hearing loss. Sometimes speech sounds and common environmental noises are shown on the audiogram, indicating their frequency and decibel level and giving a clear visual representation of which sound you can hear and which you miss.

What next?
It is now time to use the information gained at the hearing test to understand how a hearing loss is impacting your life and how to manage it.
The most common pattern of hearing loss is a sloping high-frequency hearing loss. Often the low frequencies are at normal or close to normal levels which means that you can hear quite well. However, because there is hearing loss present in the higher frequencies, the consonants may not be heard. Consonants give clarity to speech so this explains the common complaint “I can hear, I just can’t understand” or “I can hear people speaking but they seem to be mumbling”. If the loss is mild, the brain can fill in the gaps, and hearing loss may not even be noticed. However, as the loss progresses, listening can become exhausting and can negatively impact daily communication and socialization. 

At Attune , an Audiologist will inform you if the loss is aidable and it is then time for action! There are a large number of options available in terms of hearing aids and listening devices and your Audiologist can help you to find an option that suits you and your individual lifestyle and circumstances. 

The early fitting of hearing aids often means an easier adjustment, as the brain only needs to adapt to a small increase in volume. Hearing aids are programmed to suit your individual pattern of hearing loss, they are discreet and highly effective. To better understand changes in your hearing, book a hearing test with Attune today. Why miss out on anything if you don’t have to!

     

What Type of Incidents Can Lead to Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can occur as a result of many things. The causes of hearing loss can be environmental, physical, neurological, and sometimes just unknown. Some people are simply born with hearing loss, while others develop it over time. Whilst there is sometimes no way to predict or avoid this condition from occurring, there are some incidents that are well known to cause hearing loss. So, what are these incidents and what can you do to protect yourself?

Loud Noises

Remember when an elder would warn you about listening to your music too loud? Well, they were right. Frequent exposure to loud music (or generally, any loud noises) for extended periods of time can damage the cells and membranes in your cochlea, as they become overworked and begin to die. Unfortunately, this damage is permanent. To prevent damage to your hearing, use protective wear for your ears (earplugs or ear muffs) during exposure to loud noises.

Ear Wax Build Up

Ear wax, or cerumen, is a natural substance produced by the ear to protect it against dust, foreign particles, and bacteria. While our ears were designed to naturally rid themselves of excess ear wax (it typically makes it way out of the ear and falls out or is washed away), people often like to remove ear wax for hygienic purposes. Unsuitable methods of ear wax removal can cause ear wax to build up and block up ear canals. This causes temporary hearing loss. To prevent this from happening, avoid using cotton tips that push ear wax further into the ear. If you’re worried about excess ear wax build up, get a professional to clean out your ear.

Unhealthy Habits

There is a strong correlation between smoking and obesity, and hearing loss. Leading an unhealthy lifestyle prevents all parts of the body from functioning in their optimal condition; it also leads to slower recoveries from health conditions. To keep your ears healthy and functioning properly, keep your whole body in good health with a balanced diet and active lifestyle.

Physical Accidents

Skull fractures and brain injury can cause issues with your hearing, such as sensorineural hearing loss (affecting the way your brain perceives sound waves). Some accidents can also cause physical damage to the ear, which can contribute to hearing loss (like a perforated eardrum). If you’ve had a knock to the head and you’re noticing your hearing has decreased, see a hearing specialist. Sometimes these accidents are unavoidable; however, if you’re participating in any contact sport or extreme activities, you can ensure you’re wearing the appropriate protective gear.

When Hearing Loss is Unavoidable

While you can do your best to protect yourself from developing hearing loss with the right gear, sometimes due to genetics, age, or malformations, hearing loss is simply unavoidable. In that situation, the best thing you can do for your overall health is to ensure you are managing your condition with the best possible care and equipment.

Attune is here to support you throughout your hearing loss journey with high-quality services and medical care. Call to book an appointment today on 1300 736 702.

Is There A Difference Between In-ear Headphones And Over-ear Headphones When It Comes To Hearing Loss?

When it comes to using external devices for listening purposes, people are inundated with various options that can be used to plug into their phones, be used wirelessly for music or even Bluetooth for when you’re on the go. If you suffer from hearing loss however, the options can be narrowed and need a little more consideration when choosing a type of headphone or earphone. So what are the differences between the in-ear headphone and over-ear headphones, and which ones suit better for those that have hearing loss?

In-ear headphones

These devices, as the name suggests, goes directly inside the ear and funnels the sound down the ear canal. These are typically very portable and are small in size so you can easily take them with you wherever you go, especially if you use them for exercising. While some in-ear headphones still use cables, a majority of brands use wireless or Bluetooth technology which helps them sync seamlessly with your devices.

In-ear headphones, because a lot of them are cordless, have shorter battery life. This is an important factor to consider before purchasing in-ear headphones. Another key element to consider is comfort. The in-ear headphones usually come with varying sizes of attachable silicone buds to suit your ear size. This can be great because you can customise the in-ear headphones to be more comfortable and secure while you’re using them.

Over-ear headphones

Over-ear headphones are typically more chunky in size. They are designed to completely encase your ear and cover it to ensure no sound escapes and you are getting the best possible experience. A lot of musicians use over-hear headphones as they also tend to have better for noise-cancelling qualities and drown out background sounds. Because these headphones are bigger and usually have more capabilities, they can also be the most expensive option.

While a lot of the over-ear headphones have cords, they don’t need to be charged. However, with a lot of advancements in technology, there are more and more products that have wireless or Bluetooth capabilities while still enjoying the over-ear headphone benefits. These headphones are also quite comfortable. Usually, the headphones are made with a soft cushioning material that is covered with leather for protection and comfort. You also don’t have to worry about sticking anything into your ear.

For people with hearing loss, over-ear headphones might be a good option. They typically have better noise-cancelling capabilities and are comfortable for the wearer. However, it’s always important to consult your hearing aid specialist because they will be able to help find a tailored solution depending on the severity of your hearing loss.

If you’re looking to get a hearing test or would like to see someone about getting hearing aids, contact Attune Hearing. Attune Hearing is Australia’s only accredited hearing health care provider and has hearing clinics nationwide. Attune Hearing Audiologists conduct hearing aid test and can help you live your life to the fullest.

Easy Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Hearing

The ability to hear is vital a sense that we often take for granted, and don’t realise how much we rely on, on a day-to-day basis. Like our other senses like sight and taste, once they are gone, it is extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to regain, which is why it is so important to take care of them and ensure we can still hear as we get older. So what are some easy steps that you can take to protect your hearing?

1. Don’t have the volume too high when listening to music


When you listen to music, particularly with in-ear buds or earphones that surround your ear or go inside, it’s important not to set the volume too high or you could risk damaging your hearing.

2. Get a hearing test to check your hearing


One of the best ways to protect your hearing is to get it checked. Like the rest of your body, going for check-ups ensures that everything is working normally and there aren’t any issues.

3. Avoid long exposure to loud noises

If you work in a noisy environment like a construction site, this can be hard to avoid however you should be taking the right precautions like wearing ear muffs and other hearing protection to minimise the damage to your hearing. Your workplace should have safety measures put in place so ask them for help if you need. Another common place where people have long exposure to loud noises is concerts or music events. Avoid standing next to the speakers if you can.

4. Don’t use cotton buds

Cotton buds and other small instruments shouldn’t be poked into your ears. They can cause significant damage and also push ear wax further into your ear, causing your hearing to be muffled or obstructed.

If you are interested in learning more about hearing, or you need to get your hearing checked, consider going to a clinic that specialises in providing hearing tests. Attune Hearing is Australia’s only hearing healthcare provider and has professional audiologists that perform tests throughout their 60+ clinics nationwide. Book a hearing test at Attune Hearing today!

Does Ear Shape or Size Affect Your Hearing Ability?

Shape

Researcher, Dr Trapeau concluded in 2018 that changing the outer shape of your ear actually has the ability to change the way you hear. He found that adding a piece of silicone moulded to the participant’s ear meant that they heard the sound differently and said that it was coming from a different place to where the sound was originating from. However, when the testers used the silicone for a week and came back for testing, their results were back to normal which means that our brain adapts to our ear shape to help us hear better. So does this mean that the shape of our ears can change the way we hear?

A lot of tests have shown that the answer to this question is quite technical which has a lot to do with neuron activity, sound waves and other factors. However, the research study conducted by Dr Trapeau does, in fact, show that the shape of our ears can affect the way we hear, especially the way we experience spatial awareness.

Size

But it’s not quite that easy to change your ear shape which means the next variable to consider is the size of your ears. So do bigger ears help you hear better?

Essentially, the outside of the ear is called the pinna which serves to protect the inner ear and also guide sounds into the ear canal. However, the size of your ear doesn’t necessarily mean that you have better hearing. After all, what gives you the ability to hear are the little hairs in the inner part of your ear that send signals to your brain when sound waves interact and vibrate with the three tiny bones in the middle ear.

If you are interested in learning more about hearing, or you need to get your hearing checked, consider going to a clinic that specialises in providing hearing tests. Attune Hearing is Australia’s only hearing healthcare provider and has professional audiologists that perform tests throughout their 60+ clinics nationwide. Book a hearing test at Attune Hearing today!

How Humans Prefer Pitch And Music When Hearing

It is more or less easy to predict what kind of movies will please most of the public, and it is not complicated to do the same with books or video games. However, with music it seems that this does not happen so much: we all have musical pieces in mind that, although they do not look anything like what we usually prefer to hear, they catch us. That is why it is interesting that favourite songs, in all their variety, produce a similar effect on the brain of the listener. In fact, music can define, in a way, how we are and how we think as there are different ways human prefer pitch and music when hearing.

What happens in our brain when we listen to our favourite music?

Specifically, strong electrical connections are established between the auditory areas of the brain and the hippocampus, a part related to memory and emotionality. That means that the neuronal processes that a Beethoven fan experiences are very similar to those that occur in the head of an AC/DC fan when both are listening to what they like, no matter how different the vibrations reach the eardrums.

The finding would also help explain why completely different pieces of music can trigger very similar emotional states in different people and the role of music in remembering memories. In addition, it is further evidence of how closely related memories and emotions are when recovering them.

However, the fundamental findings on the study of “how humans prefer pitch and music when hearing” is that it shows how our brain is able to turn around any series of sound stimuli to awaken moods to some extent unpredictable, related to the listener's musical taste. In this sense, it has also been seen that we are able to make music something pleasant by identifying ourselves with what we hear by relating it to our memories and thus helping to give them a satisfactory meaning or use it to better regulate our emotions.

Of course, every moment has its potential "ideal music" and we probably would not get the same results if we force someone to listen to their favourite song longer than desired, for example, or at a time when they don't feel like listening to anything.

However, in most cases there seems to be the paradox that very complex and changing processes (the adaptation of the brain for the enjoyment of virtually any musical piece) result in a stereotypical and predictable activation pattern. It is a test of the brain's ability to reach the same results from different starting situations, and memory plays a fundamental role in this process.

Beyond the laboratory experiments, it is clear that the sensation of listening to music of our liking is unique and to some extent indescribable. However, if we lift the hood of our nervous system and observe what happens in it during this experience, we will realize that after such subjective sensations there is a network of neurons acting meaningfully.

Do you find yourself struggling to listen to lyrics/words or do you find it hard to listen to certain pitches over others? At Attune Hearing, our Audiologists can conduct a Full Diagnostic Hearing Test to determine exactly where your hearing difficulties lie. Call on 1300 736 702 or visit the website today to get back to listening to your favourite sounds again.

Can hearing loss cause headaches?

Headaches are a common occurrence for many people, however very few of us pay attention to a headache when we experience it. Headaches can be a sign of serious problems and conditions, but it can also be associated with stress, tension, lack of sleep and hearing loss. However, if the headache feels extreme, this is a very alarming symptom. The frequency and intensity of a headache may indicate cerebral aneurysm, cerebral haemorrhage or sensorineural hearing loss. If a headache attack occurs for the first time before the age of 5 years or older than 50 – it could be an early sign of a brain tumour. If increased pain occurs with coughing, a change in body position, then this is possibly the result of increased intracranial pressure.

If a severe headache is accompanied by impaired sensitivity and weakness in the arms and/or legs, smoothing of the nasolabial folds and other neurological symptoms - this indicates a violation of the blood circulation in the brain, that is, a stroke. In addition, headaches may also occur due to the frequent use of pain medications. If a person experiences sudden hearing loss, fainting that does not disappear within a few minutes, this may indicate a brain tumour, which in the worst-case presses on the auditory nerve. It is also one of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis or impending stroke, which leads to multiple forms of headaches.

Patients suffering from sensorineural hearing loss are more likely to suffer from tension-type headaches, the most common, which is caused by excess tension in areas of the head and neck, according to a study by the Department of Otolaryngology at the Taipei Hospital (Taiwan). Research conducted by the Swiss journal Audiology & Neuro-Otology analysed the presence of tension headaches in 4,683 patients with diagnosed hearing loss. The results of the study carried out showed that five per cent of those analysed suffered from tension headaches due to their hearing deficit or hearing loss.

The headaches, especially sudden, are among the first signs of hearing loss. Hearing loss does not only affect the elderly or those affected by noise. It can also appear due to certain diseases - such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension - that can accelerate the process of reducing the ability to listen, causing negative consequences for the health of the affected such as severe headaches for instance migraines.

In addition, tinnitus, ringing in the ears, affects about 15% of the population and can quickly become very restrictive in everyday life. Tinnitus is noise (in most cases subjective) that a person can hear, either temporarily or continuously. They can take the form of buzzing, squeaking, snoring or whistling. Tinnitus can cause migraines, headaches and symptoms are often accompanied by dizziness. Most of the time, tinnitus is due to excessive exposure to noise, hearing loss, head trauma or inflammation of the inner ear nerves.

Is your hearing loss giving you headaches? Come into one of our Attune clinics today and speak with one of our highly-qualified Audiologists for solutions. Book on 1300 736 702.

Can Hearing Loss Cause Headaches?

If you or a loved one are suffering from hearing loss, you might have noticed that headaches can be one of the many symptoms going hand in hand with a decline in hearing abilities. There is a range of explanations for this correlation. For one, a feeling of pressure in the ear from a build-up in fluids behind the eardrum or the ringing or buzzing sound experienced by those suffering from tinnitus can be causes for severe headaches.

A new hearing aid could also result in temporary headaches. When you are experiencing hearing loss, your auditory system and brain don’t receive as much stimulation as they once had with normal hearing. Those who first receive a hearing aid, therefore, might experience more or less severe headaches. Their brains simply need some time to adjust to the new influx of information. These symptoms, however, disappear within about a week. If you’re worried that your hearing aid might be the cause for ongoing headaches, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your audiologist.

The Link Between Hearing Loss And Migraine

But it can also go the other way around: Did you know that migraine is said to be a possible cause for hearing loss? Studies indicate that migraine sufferers are twice as likely to suffer from sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Other studies suggest that changes in the cochlear system and our auditory pathways are associated with migraine. It is quite possible that migraine could be accompanied by a compromise of blood supply of the auditory system, and in doing so, causes a temporary hearing loss.

Hearing loss and headaches can also be symptoms of a range of other health conditions. Ménière's disease for one can cause severe headaches, specifically migraines and a sensation of clogged ears, resulting in sounds seeming distorted and far away.

If you’re experiencing signs of hearing loss and headaches or migraine, don’t waste time and make an appointment with a specialised audiologist at Attune Hearing, as it’s always smart to keep a close tab on your hearing health.

5 Possible Causes Of Ear Bleeding

There are a few possible explanations for unusual bleeding from one or both ears. Some of these can be the reason for serious concern. To help figure out what exactly is happening and to get you the help you need, make an appointment with your doctor or audiologist as soon as possible.

Here are a few of the more common causes for ear-bleeding to help you understand what’s going on!

Why is my ear bleeding?

1.Ear Trauma: A Ruptured Or Torn Ear Drum

One of the more likely causes for bleeding is trauma, caused by head injuries, objects in your ear or very loud noises. It may seem silly, but many people will puncture their eardrum by placing a cotton-tip applicator, to deep into the ear canal. This doesn’t necessarily cause your eardrum to rupture, but a small injury of the eardrum can result in bleeding, especially if you are taking blood thinners.

With a ruptured eardrum, you may have other fluids draining from the ear, which can be clear or filled with pus. You may also experience hearing loss, ear pain that comes suddenly and goes away quickly, ringing in the ear or a feeling like you're spinning, also called vertigo, which can result in nausea and even vomiting.

The good news: Most eardrum tears heal on their own within a few weeks. All you’ll have to do is to be patient. Either way, you should see a doctor who can determine the root cause of the problem.

2.Ear Infection

Ear infections caused by bacteria or viruses can make the middle ear swell up, causing fluid to build up behind your eardrum. When the pressure from the buildup reaches a critical point, it may rupture the eardrum, resulting in ear bleeding. You might also experience other symptoms such as pain in your ear, a stuffy nose, hearing loss and fever.

Ear infections normally don’t last longer than a week and clear up on their own. If you want to play safe, you can rely on the help of over-the-counter pain relievers to help with pain management and relieve your fever symptoms. It is not uncommon that doctors prescribe antibiotics to fight infections.

3.An object in the Ear

We mentioned the infamous cotton swab before, but there is a number of unusual things that have been found in peoples ears, none of which belong there: Cockroaches, teeth, toys, spiders, matchsticks and other curiosities are some of the odd things doctors have to pull out off their patient’s ears on a regular base. Children are most likely to put something into their ear.

If you find that this is the source of your issue, you can try to get hold of the object and remove it with tweezers. If it doesn't want to budge, seek medical help.

4.Changes in Air or Water Pressure

It may seem like nothing, but a sudden change in air pressure can pull your eardrum in and cause feelings of stuffiness and uncomfortable pain. It can lead to serious injuries also called barotrauma. This may occur during the landing of an aeroplane or when scuba diving. Symptoms of barotrauma include ear pain, feeling like your ears are stuffed, dizziness and hearing loss. If the problem persists, your doctor may need to make a small cut in the eardrum to even out the pressure and drain fluid.

5.Head Injury

Have you been hit in the head or were involved in an accident? If you are experiencing ear-bleeding paired with the loss of consciousness, feeling dazed, confused, or disoriented, nausea and vomiting, and a difficulty to speak, you may be bleeding in the brain. This is an urgent medical emergency with an increased risk of brain damage. Do not waste time and immediately go to an emergency room or call 911!

Should I go and see a doctor?

YES! Whatever your situation, remember that for many conditions early detection can lead to better outcomes.

You’re experiencing hearing loss, now what? Here is a  step-by-step guide to looking after your hearing health!

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. To make an appointment with any of Attune’s audiologists, call 1300 736 702. You can also request an appointment online.

How to manage swimmers’ ears?

Ears are a delicate and sensitive part of our sensory system that analyze and detect sound. They are incredible as they have natural defences such as cerumen (earwax) or cartilage that regulate, clean and prevent foreign bodies from entering our ear canal. Due to the delicate nature of our ears, however, our hearing can easily be affected by diseases, lifestyle factors and injuries when our natural defences have been overwhelmed. Otitis Externa also is known as swimmer’s ear is an inflammation or infection which runs from your eardrum all the way to your outer ear. It can occur suddenly and can be triggered when water remains in your ear after swimming or accidental cuts are made inside the ear. As the ear canal is dark and warm, it can moisten with retained water or abrasions, allowing for bacteria or fungus to grow. Although Swimmer’s ear is most commonly found in children, it can still affect all ages.

If treated promptly, swimmer’s ear is not serious, however, if left untreated, complications can occur such as temporary hearing loss, deep tissue infection, chronic otitis externa or more-widespread infections. In serious cases, swimmer’s ear can spread to other areas of the ear such as the skull bone which can pose a serious threat to the elderly. That is why it is important to contact your GP when symptoms such as itchiness, redness or swelling in the ear start appearing.

How do I protect myself from getting an infection?

Whether you’re an avid swimmer or love playing in the water once in a blue moon, it is always important to keep your ears safe from foreign waters. To reduce the risk of getting swimmer’s ear, you should not put your fingers, sprays or any objects such as cotton buds or hairpins in your ear in an attempt to dig out earwax or scratch an itch as it can irritate and damage the skin lining of your ear canal causing an infection. You should also keep your outer ears dry after showering or swimming as water stuck in your ear canal can increase the chance of fungus growth. If you are experiencing a blockage in your ear due to retained water, tug your earlobe and tilt your head to the side to help drain the water out of your ear canal. Find yourself struggling often with blocked ears after swimming or showering? The best solution is to wear earplugs to protect your ears, particularly when entering lakes, oceans or swimming pools as the water may be polluted.

At Attune Hearing, we provide the best earplugs, tailored specifically to your lifestyle. Moulded to the shape of your ears, our earplugs are extremely comfortable to wear, easy to insert, hypoallergenic and effective in preventing dirty water from entering your ear canal and middle ear system. In addition, our earplugs are durable and can be upsized, perfect for avid swimmers. A protective case for your earplugs are provided for safekeeping when unused. Looking for custom-made earplugs? Contact your nearest Attune clinic today to speak with one of our highly-qualified Audiologist to discuss options.

What are the types of measures I can take to protect my hearing at work?

When you think of severe injuries that happen in the workplace, most people’s first thoughts would be cuts, bruises, broken bones, but have you thought about the importance of protecting your hearing at work? According to Safe Work Australia, industrial deafness accounts for 3.6% of work-related injuries and 1 in 5 people are likely to work in an environment where they are exposed to hazardous noise levels every day. While there are general guidelines on what noise thresholds are above safety levels for an individual worker, it is important to note that long-term exposure to loud noises will result in noise-induced hearing loss. Symptoms include not being able to hear others at arms’ length or ringing in the ears which can reduce a persons’ quality of life leading to isolation from society and mental illness. That is why it is important to take measures to reduce workplace noise and improving strategies for protecting noise-exposed workers.

In order to reduce noise in the workplace, a business must work through the hierarchy of controls to help protect workers from long term noise exposure. The hierarchy of controls includes the following with the top being the most effective to the bottom being the least.

The first two control measures to implement in the workplace are eliminating and substituting the noise source. While these two measures tend to be the most difficult to implement in an existing process, they are the most effective at reducing harmful noise levels. Eliminating involves removing the cause of noise completely whether it is avoiding the use of certain machinery, eliminating the impact between hard objects or surfaces, outsourcing the noisy work process or moving the noise source away from other work activities. This stage is the easiest to implement when a business is in its introduction phase. Substituting involves replacing noisy machinery with alternatives, for instance, swapping old machinery for new that produce less noise.

If noise is still unsafe for the ears, then it’s time to implement some engineering controls. This may include using plastic bumpers to prevent metals clashing, installing sound walls/curtains and adding noise barriers with silencers.

The last two control stages are the lowest stages in the hierarchy of controls and should not be used exclusively to control risk. These lower stages assist in the control of risk but are rarely enough if used alone. You may apply administrative controls to limit your exposure to harmful noise levels at work such as organising a schedule for employees so that noise is produced only at a particular time, keeping workers as far away as possible from the noise source, notifying employees that noise will be produced at a certain time frame and properly maintaining equipment to reduce noise.

The final step to controlling noise levels at your workplace is to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). This involves everyone at the workplace, as well as visitors, wearing hearing protection. There are several types of hearing protectors to choose from and each hearing protector is selected based on personal preference and workplace environment. For more information on PPE please read: “Different Types of Hearing Protection”.

Need some help with controlling workplace noise, contact Attune Hearing today to discuss possibilities in protecting your hearing at your workplace: https://www.attune.com.au/workplace-services/education-and-training/

Hearing Loss Symptoms

Hearing loss depends on the severity of ear damage and is treated according to its severity. However, the symptoms for identifying hearing loss are generally the same. These include:

• Having to listen to the sound from television and radio at a much higher level than others.

• Difficulty keeping up with a conversation

• Difficulty hearing people over the phone

• Often asking people to repeat themselves

• The ringing of the ears

• Hearing muffled speech and sounds 

• Social isolation from fear of being judged for poor listening skills

• Constant pain in one side of the ear 

• The feeling of pressure build-up in the ear

• Not able to hear female and young children’s voices.

• Unable to differentiate certain consonants.

• Inability to hear songbirds and timers on devices. 

People with high-frequency hearing loss may also develop these symptoms:

Permanent hearing loss can occur due to several reasons including:

Old age - causing the degeneration of the ear structure.

Genetics - you are more likely to suffer ear damage due to genetic ear sensitivity

Result of an illness - severe meningitis can damage the cochlea (inner ear)

Being around loud noises - exposure to loud sounds, such as concerts, can damage the inner ear cells. People working in loud workplaces such as construction or factory sites are also more likely to suffer from ear damage.

Temporary hearing loss can also occur, however these generally only last from a few hours up to a few days. These are usually defined as a Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS). Common reasons for temporary hearing loss include:

A buildup of earwax - blocks the ear canal from receiving sound waves. Earwax removal can restore hearing.

Ear infection or abnormal bone growth - obstruct sound waves. Infections can generally be cured of medications while abnormal bone growths or tumours near the ear may require a small operation.

Exposure to loud noise - Frequent exposure to loud noises make it harder for the ears to recover from TTS. If constant exposure continues, the ear may not be able to recover from TTS and suffer from permanent damage.

If you fear you are suffering from hearing loss, it is best to get your ears tested straight away. Take this short quiz to determine if you need a hearing test. Attune takes a holistic medical approach and conducts a range of comprehensive tests to determine the cause, type and level of hearing loss. As a patient, if you fall into any of these categories, Attune will be able to provide you with a range of free services to diagnose your hearing. Visit our website or call on 1300 736 702 to book an appointment!