How to Communicate with a Hearing Impaired Person

What if I am not able to communicate something important?

What if he/she misunderstands me? What if it makes me embarrassed?

Often when we have to talk or engage with someone hard of hearing, we assume that by talking less, we can be the best company for the person. But no, sharing a good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity. Successful conversation requires efforts from both the listener and speaker. Although the person with hearing loss utilizes Programmable Hearing Aids and active listening strategies, the other person must also try to carry on the conversation using these simple tips and help them feel positive.

If you need help communicating with a hearing-impaired person or help the person with active listening strategies, contact our Hearing instrument specialist to get the best advice. On our website you can look for ‘Hearing Aid Centers Near Me’ to find out your nearest branch. For more details, call us at 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087.

Here are some best ways to communicate with people having hearing loss:

Be Empathetic

Hearing loss can sometimes be stressful at times when the person fails to communicate effortlessly.  If you know one such person, try to empathize with their experience. They shouldn’t be made to feel left out but positive enough to talk confidently.

• When meeting them in a group, give them a heads up of the topic of the conversation

• Sit next to that person and let him or her know that they can turn to you to ask the missed information

• Pay attention to the listener. If you feel they haven’t understood your message, try emphasizing key points.

Gain Attention

Draw the person’s attention before you initiate the conversation. If you know which of their ear functions better, try positioning yourself to that side of the person.

Communicate Face-to-Face

It is very important for a person with hearing loss to visually analyse the speech. Try to always have a face to face conversation so that they are able to read your body language, lip-sync and hand gestures. Also, the sound will be clear when the distance is close.

Use Visual Clues

Effective communication goes beyond spoken words. You can use gestures and facial expressions to enhance the conversation. This way, the listener will easily get the meaning of the message.

Rephrase than Repeat

Rather than repeating what you said, try rephrasing your words. Some words can be easier to hear, so try using alternate words when the listener is unable to understand your words in one go.

Speak Clear

Use clear, steady and calm tone when speaking to the person. Avoid rapid and haphazard tone that may cause difficulty in processing the message.

Don’t Shout

Most people tend to speak loudly with people experiencing hearing loss. It not only hurts them but it has the opposite effect. Shouting distorts the sound and it becomes even harder for the person with hearing impairment to process your speech. It is better to raise the volume a bit and talk clearly.

Write it Down

This should be your last resort! If you have tried conversing with the person verbally but struggling to get specific message conveyed, write it down. Please understand that this may make them feel awful about their impairment so try talking them normally, giving them chance to understand your speech.

Having said that, you can always share significant information in writing to ensure there is no miscommunication.

At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, we offer assistive or remote listening aids that can help you live with your hearing loss more comfortably. Find a nearest centre of HNR Speech and Hearing Centre and make a call today to consult our audiologist.

Call us on: 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087

Types of Hearing Loss

Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing is a process where sound waves are collected in the ear, translated into vibrations, and conducted as impulses to the brain. When one of this function or part of the ear doesn’t play its role; there is impairment in hearing. The Types of hearing loss you have depends on what part of your hearing is damaged.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is caused by abnormalities in the ear canal, ear drum or middle ear. The abnormality could be due to an underlying heredity disorder, benign tumors, ear infection, blockage due to ear wax or fluid in the middle ear etc.

A person with a conductive hearing loss faces difficulty with the overall loudness of sounds. They are better able to hear sounds at higher frequency. Individuals with this kind of impairment can benefit with the use of a hearing aid that amplifies sound.

If the hearing loss is due to wax impaction, infection or abnormal growth in the ear, medical treatment and surgical procedures can help rectify the condition.

Taking a hearing test is critical to determine the degree and type of hearing loss you have. HNR Speech and Hearing Centre is one of the best Hearing Aid Centres in Hyderabad our audiologist will thoroughly assess your condition and suggest treatment.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused due to problems in the inner ear. These problems may be nerve-related. Due to damage in the auditory nerve or cells of the inner ear, the nerve signals are not properly carried to the brain. Therefore, a person suffering with sensorineural hearing loss will have trouble hearing loud volume and even though the sound reaches, it’s difficult to understand it as the brain doesn’t receive enough signals to decode the sound.

This type of impairment is most likely due to a genetic syndrome. There are also a variety of triggers that can cause sensorineural hearing loss. Exposure to loud noise, aging, tumors, defect in the inner ear structure – are some of the factors that can cause a gradual loss of sound receptors and nerve damage.

Since the person suffering with this condition can hear people speak but just miss on the clarity; wearing hearing aids or cochlear implant that stimulates cochlear nerve for hearing can benefit them. Again, it depends on the severity of the impairment.

Both conductive and mixed hearing losses can be treated medically or with the use of hearing aids or implants. At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, we treat sensorineural hearing loss by surgical implants that can directly stimulate the hearing nerve. This not only improves the sound hearing but also the ability to understand speech.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss, as the name suggests is a combination of two conditions that results in hearing loss. It occurs when the ear is under trauma of a long-lasting hearing impairment. Over time, the hearing loss is compounded by another making it severe.

Suppose, a person has age-related sensorineural hearing loss, this may be accompanied with an additional hearing loss due to wax impaction. Such a condition in temporary mixed hearing loss.

The treatment depends on the primary cause of hearing loss. If the greater portion of loss is due to conductive component, it can be treated with surgical procedures. On the other hand, if the primary loss is due to sensorineural component, using hearing aids can improve the condition.

At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, our HCP will investigate the cause after taking your hearing test and suggest the right treatment options for your condition.  We have Different Types of Hearing Aids available in different sizes, styles and technologies that can be just the right fit for you.

Call us on 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087 to book a consultation with our experts.

The Brain’s Role in Hearing

The Brain’s Role in Hearing

Sound waves are electrical signals which are also called as neural code. These waves enter the ears and are carried to the auditory cortex (hearing centre in the brain) via the auditory nerve. Here, at the hearing centre of the brain, the sound wave is decoded and thus we hear and understand the sound.

While the ear works in taking the sound input, it is the brain that identifies sound.

How hearing works in the brain?

 The brain’s hearing system is constituted of two sub-systems. They work together to make the sound heard in the brain. Of the two sub-systems, one works to capture the full sound scene while the other distinguishes sounds and recognizes which ones are important. This is how it helps the brain understand the sound scene around.

Orient subsystem works to analyse all incoming sounds. From low-frequency to high-frequency, it captures the entire perspective of sound scene so that the brain can process all sounds and orient them.

At focus subsystem, all irrelevant sounds are filtered out so that you can focus on the information you want to hear. Interestingly, the brain can shift attention multiple times in a second.

To ensure you get the right support for your hearing loss, consult experts from HNR Speech and Hearing Centre. We have latest treatment for hearing loss and you can avail the best hearing aids in Hyderabad.

What happens when you have a hearing loss?

 In case of a hearing loss, the auditory cortex doesn’t give the brain the full sound picture. When the brain doesn’t receive enough sound information, it cannot process hearing properly. The brain cannot orient itself with the surrounding sounds and it becomes difficult to focus on a particular sound.

The listening effort and mental load increases in such a situation. The brain also alters cognitive thinking and shrinks in volume. In this way, hearing problem can soon translate to brain problem.

Consequences of untreated hearing loss

Since hearing is a mental process, any problem in hearing may lead to brain problem. For your brain to function properly, it needs sound in its full perspective. When there is a hearing loss or inadequate treatment of hearing loss, the brain’s access to sound is limited; thereby causing serious life problems.

Solution to brain-hearing problems

Hearing loss, when not treated properly can put you at a risk of brain problems which can interfere in your day-to-day life.

A good pair of hearing aids should be able to provide good neural code to the brain. When the brain gets an overview of full sound scene, the two subsystems function hand-in-hand to give you perfect hearing.

One of the best ways to treat it is to wear a good set of hearing aid suggested by a health care professional. It is very important that the hearing aid you wear gives the right input to the brain. At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, we strive to give you brain-friendly hearing aids so that your brain can access full sound scene. Our experts provide solutions based on your brain hearing.

Whether you need hearing aids for conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss, our expert audiologists will help you get the right treatment.

To book a consultation, please call us on 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087.

Monaural Vs Binaural Hearing Aids | HNR Speech and Hearing Aids

Binaural Hearing Aids is the ability to hear in two ears. We, human beings have a Binaural Hearing naturally. Both our ears work in conjunction to process sound. In some conditions, the hearing is impaired in one ear resulting in what is known as unilateral hearing loss.

Unilateral/Monaural Hearing Loss is a condition wherein people experience one-sided or single ear hearing loss

What is a Monaural Hearing Aid?

Monaural Hearing Aids are Traditional hearing aids wherein the device works in individual ears. It is typically worn in one ear. If you are wearing a pair for both your ears, it does not have connection with another.

What is Binaural Hearing Aid?

Binaural hearing aids are a pair of hearing devices that are used in both the ears when individuals experience hearing loss. In the recent years we have seen a shift in trends and Binaural Hearing Aids became the new standard. Often individuals suffer from impairment in both the ears but it’s more pronounced in one ear. Therefore, professionals recommend wearing binaural hearing aids even when the hearing loss is in single ear.

Why should I wear Two Hearing Aids?

An interesting fact that justifies this recommendation is that our ears process sound differently. When the sound enters left ear, it is processed by right hemisphere of the brain and vice versa. So, when you wear a binaural set of hearing aids, both the hemispheres of the brain are involved giving you a better hearing experience. Even if you have impairment only in one ear, wearing two hearing aid devices will give you the best hearing.

Hearing aid amplifies and stimulates your ear to give you optimized hearing and if you wear it only the ear that feels impaired, you are likely to experience a discomfort as the sound frequency doesn’t match in both the ears. When you are listening to loud voices, the other ear which feels perfectly fit may hear voices unclear this is because one of the ears is stimulated more than the other.

At HNR Speech and Hearing Clinic, we carefully customize each hearing aid from the pair with its unique amplification. Our HCP will assess your hearing to determine your baseline hearing and then go about with further procedure.

Benefits of wearing two hearing aid

• Can replicate normal binaural hearing

• Lesser amplification required

• Better and realistic coordination between both the ears

• Amplify sounds for hearing loss of varying degrees and types

At HNR Speech and Hearing Clinic, we have the latest hearing aids from varied brands. Our HCP will help you to determine the best suitable hearing aid based on your usage and requirement.

Schedule an appointment with us today. Call on 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087

Tinnitus: Cause, Diagnosis and Treatment | HNR Speech and Hearing

Tinnitus is a condition where you experience ringing or whistling sounds which are not from an external source but from within. It is common in older adults

The sound perceived by individuals suffering from tinnitus can range a ringing to buzzing sound. It can be a slow background noise or loud enough to interfere with external sounds. These sounds are heard in one or both the ears and the pitch varies. There is a wide repertoire of sounds that are reported by the listener.

It alters the way sound is processed in the auditory cortex of the brain. A sound illusion is created in the auditory cortex resulting in tinnitus

At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, our team of audiologists can diagnose your tinnitus and offer a lasting relief from your symptoms through various treatment options.

What causes tinnitus?

There are various factors that can cause the development of tinnitus

Hearing loss

Hearing loss could be one of the prominent reasons that triggers tinnitus but not everyone suffering from tinnitus have hearing loss.

Exposure to loud noise

Exposure to high decibels of noise can cause some degree of damage to your hearing. Repeated exposure to such loud noises over an extended time could also result in a permanent hearing loss.

Injury

Tinnitus can also stem back from an injury in the past on the head/neck region. If an injury damages the inner ear, it can cause tinnitus. Tumours in the inner ear or auditory nerve can also cause tinnitus.

Infection/disease

Sometimes even an ear infection could cause blockage in the ear and you may experience tinnitus

Side effect of medication

Certain medication can also cause a temporary condition as a side effect. Tinnitus could result as a side effect of a medication used for any other treatments. So, avoid taking non-prescribed/over the counter medication.

Stress

Emotional stress can cause difficulty in managing tinnitus and it may start to interfere with your hearing

Diagnosis

At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, our audiologist will conduct a hearing test to diagnose tinnitus.

Hearing tests are simple. The doctor will diagnose the cause of tinnitus by just studying the results of what you can hear versus what you should be hearing in a normal condition.

Treatment for tinnitus

At HNR our professionals will treat you for any underlying medical conditions causing tinnitus.

Treatment options could include – removing excess wax from your ears or changing your prescription if a certain medication is the cause behind your tinnitus.

Additionally, we can provide masking devices that can be inserted into your ear. It acts like a hearing aid that suppresses disturbing sounds in your ear.

Wearing Hearing Aids, changing your lifestyle, reducing exposure to loud noises can lessen the severity of tinnitus

To book a consultation with our health care professional, call us: 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087

Tinnitus Maskers and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy | HNR Speech and Hearing

Tinnitus is a common hearing condition wherein the signals sent from ears to brain result in an unwanted activity. The patient perceives sounds that are non-audible to outsiders. It is heard as ringing, buzzing, whirring, drilling or hissing sound that is constant or may come and go. It is also recorded that the sound frequency differs from patient to patient.

This condition may overlap with other hearing conditions and cause an additional discomfort. It may impact your sleeping habits, and drift concentration from other important tasks. It is a potentially unbearable symptom which has no proper cure but can be coped with the help of therapies and hearing devices.

Sound Therapy

There are variety of factors that causes tinnitus including – loud noise, medication, aging, injury, neurological disorder. Research indicates that the brain triggers tinnitus sounds in order to substitute or compensate lost frequencies. Therefore, hearing a broader spectrum of sound can help reduce alertness of tinnitus sounds.

This phenomenon where external sound is brought in to mask or give relief from internal sounds of tinnitus is called sound therapy. The external sounds could be masking noises, white noise or your own customized sound. These sounds make the tinnitus sounds blend in with the background so your focus is shifted away from them.

Tinnitus cannot be cured completely but with the help of hearing care professionals at HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, you can find the best solution for tinnitus.

Tinnitus Maskers

Since tinnitus is deeply linked with hearing loss, opting for a hearing aid is one of the effective treatment options. Modern hearing aids come with in-built masking solutions to mask the presence of tinnitus. In addition to amplifying external sound, these devices produce noise at varying bands (both broad and narrow). These devices can be adjusted to match the frequency you need to mask your tinnitus sounds.

Some modern hearing aids also come with tinnitus filter technology that minimizes the frequency of tinntus noises. At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, our specialists will help you find the right device and the right adjustment in your device according to your needs.

Retraining Therapy

In this therapy, you learn t o manage your condition. Your brain is trained to ignore tinnitus sounds and focus on other things happening around you. This treatment uses sound therapy and counselling to amend the way your brain perceives sound.

Firstly, our health care professional will carefully examine your tinnitus to understand the cause and triggers. A complete picture of your lifestyle will help them get a better idea of your condition. Based on this analysis, the HCP will recalibrate your brain with an integrated daily practice. You will retrain the part of the brain that interprets sound and that’s how you learn to gain control over it.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy also involves the use of devices that generate soothing sounds to help you relax. The HCP attempts to give you a psychological therapy that helps you learn to ignore the disturbing sounds.

Now-a-days, there are different sound therapy apps which are available on Smartphone. These apps provide tips and activities that can help you manage tinnitus. You can even choose and play soothing tracks on the go.

Take tinnitus test at HNR Speech and Hearing Centre to find out if you have a bother some tinnitus that may be impacting your life. To book a consultation at our centre, call us on 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087 to book your slot.

Invisible Hearing Aids – An Invisible Solution | HNR Speech and Hearing

Hearing aids have come a long way right from the bulky over-the-ear devices to merely invisible devices. The best hearing aid is the one that gives a natural hearing experience.

With technology advancement, aesthetics of hearing aid devices is redefined. Now, you can shrug off the shyness of wearing big hearing aids that would drop your confidence and make you feel inferior. It's time you say goodbye to big and repulsive hearing aids and adapt attractive technologies that have made hearing aids invisible.

Invisible hearing aids are the smallest hearing aid that are custom made and are fit precisely to make it invisible. It is fitted in the second bend of the ear canal so that it's completely locked in the ear. Being invisible and invincible, the invisible hearing aid becomes an ideal hearing aid.

Are Invisible-In-The-Canal hearing aids suitable for you?

If you don’t like wearing big and noticeable hearing aids, then this is the right choice for you. Invisible Hearing Aids are small enough to be completely invisible. Additionally, these in the Canal Hearing Aids can rid you from the fear of falling off or pulled off when wearing a mask/headband.

Although the size of Invisible Hearing Device is mini, be assured they are no less in performance. There is absolutely no compromise on the sound quality. It collaborates with natural acoustics of the ear seamlessly.

What about its connectivity?

Invisible hearing aids also come with Bluetooth connectivity. The wireless connection to multiple electronic devices that aids invisible electronic signals proves to give you a superior and seamless connectivity.

Learn about its benefits

Invisible as true as it can be. Placed in your ear canal, the device remains out of sight for anyone and everyone. We at HNR Speech and Hearing Clinic, provide all hearing care professional services ensuring your invisible hearing device is securely seated in place so its performance is good and is 100% invisible.

No worries if you forget removing it. You can actually wear it 24x7 without having to remove it during any activity – whether it is sleeping, taking shower, swimming or exercise.

The custom fitting is done as per the natural anatomy of your ear. Thus, it gives you a natural listening experience, both indoor and outdoor. At HNR, our trained professionals will adjust the hearing aid precisely in the ear canal so that you can experience all natural acoustics.

They have automatic volume control and noise reduction features. This feature functions when you are stuck in too many background noises. It helps you distinguish between speech and background noise.

At HNR, our professionals analyse and understand your requirement and the kind of exposure you have in order to provide you with the best hearing aid with customized fitting. We have a range of international brands that you can choose from.

To book a consultation slot, call us on 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087