Ahead of World Hearing Day 2022, taking place on 3 March, SHP spoke to Brian Taylor, Doctor of Audiology and Senior Director of Audiology at Signia Hearing, and Jodi Sasaki-Miraglia, Doctor of Audiology and Director of Education and Training at Widex USA, about the importance of raising awareness on hearing loss, and how employers can protect workers from the effects of excessive noise exposure.
Jodi Sasaki-Miraglia, Doctor of Audiology and Director of Education and Training at Widex USA
Brian Taylor, Doctor of Audiology and Senior Director of Audiology at Signia Hearing
Brian Taylor (BT): “In adults, it’s noise exposure and the aging process that causes a gradual decline in hearing over many years.
“In children, approximately 1 in 10 have permanent, sensorineural hearing that is often identified at birth or in early life with universal hearing screening programmes.
“The three types of hearing loss are sensorineural, conductive and mixed.
“Sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear (cochlea) and auditory pathways leading to the brain. It is typically of gradual onset and permanent. There are some medically complicated types of sensorineural hearing loss that are of sudden onset and are temporary or fluctuating.
“Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a common symptom associated with sensorineural hearing loss. Although less common than tinnitus, dizziness is also associated with some types of sensorineural hearing loss.
“Conductive hearing loss involves damage or dysfunction of the middle ear. It is typically temporary and fluctuating in nature. Middle ear infections (fluid in the middle ear space) are the most common types of hearing loss in children. Even though many types of conductive hearing loss aren’t permanent, it can still cause speech and language delays. Therefore, medical intervention is warranted.”
(BT): “For anyone with hearing loss, even one of a mild degree, properly fitting aids are the most common and effective treatment. Employers should encourage workers to get annual hearing tests, wear protection when appropriate, and seek out the services of licensed hearing care professionals.”
Jodi Sasaki-Miraglia (JSM): “Healthy communication strategies and proper education are also important. For instance, current research shows that wearing some types of face coverings are better for easily communicating with others. According to research conducted by the University of Illinois, wearing a cloth mask can be worse for communication in comparison to an N95 surgical mask. Minor changes to help make communication easier while we continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 can make a big difference for everyone, both at home and in the workplace.
“Today, new wireless accessories allow you to connect work phone systems to your hearing aid in order to hear phone calls clearer and easier. This is a game changer for hearing phone calls, GPS map instructions, watching your favourite videos, or streaming content. Everyone with hearing loss or sound processing challenges should have access to the same technology as those with normal hearing.”
(BT): “Look at ways to reduce or manage noise levels in the workplace. Make a range of hearing protection devices readily available and teach people how to use them properly.”
(JSM): “Educate employers to think about their hearing loss even after they leave work. Recreational activities that involve loud sounds can cause hearing loss. Some activities including working on cars, riding motorbikes, playing or listening to live music too loud, or using leaf-blowers and lawnmowers with no hearing protection can all cause damage to a person’s hearing.”
(JSM): “Clinically, I’ve seen more first-time people enter hearing care since the vaccinees were made available, signalling to me that those who were once concerned now feel safer going to medical appointments. With social distancing, masks and plexiglass barriers, people could no longer compensate for their hearing loss through reading lips, getting closer to people, or reading facial expressions.
“The prolonged increased effort in listening and communicating over the past 24 months has helped more people pay attention to their hearing capabilities.”
(JSM): “The power of good, healthy hearing can unite us, can connect us again, can bring us to tears in seconds when we hear our newborn baby cry for the first time. Hearing has the power to activate visual memories or a sense of smell, like when I, a native Hawaiian, hear Hawaiian music played on the radio. I can see the Hawaii sunset, smell the ocean, and almost feel the warmth of the island sun.
“Hearing is a wonderful gift, and we need to protect it.”
great article, thanks. The COVID control measures (distance, masks, barriers) have made the life of people with hearing impairment a lot more difficult and also brought those employees to our intention.
There is a conference in London on this topic on the 30th of March.
https://www.ioa.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=521