Reduction in hearing ability may be considered a common part of the ageing process, but that does not mean that hearing loss should be accepted passively – especially not when it affects one’s quality of life and communication with family and friends. Surprisingly many adults and elderly people live with a hearing loss for years – even when help is within easy reach. Sometimes, a push from friends or family is necessary.

In the following pages you can read more about causes of the kinds of hearing loss typically affecting adults and elderly people, about living with a hearing loss and about how to protect one’s hearing.

Did you know?

The sounds around us are perceived by our hearing system 24 hours a day. Hearing is not a sense that you can ‘turn off’.

Our hearing works at several levels: With our hearing we perceive background sounds, such as traffic noise, or more relevant sounds, such as the ringing of an alarm clock. What is generally most important is, however, the ability to hear speech – to communicate.

Our hearing system must be able to distinguish among a multitude of sounds – from the soft rustle of leaves to complex sentences. When our hearing ability is reduced, we are no longer able to hear sounds optimally.

In the following pages, you can read more about the physiological and more factual aspects of hearing impairment.