Action on Hearing Loss

Purpose is to help people confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss to live the life they choose. Includes running campaigns such as National Tinnitus Week.

They have a London based research facility working for example on zebra fish and growing hairs in the ears of gerbils. 

Fund raising is a major role but does receive funding from National Lottery. Hearing Aid assistance, fighting for rights for those with hearing loss. 

Employment support online today and assistance to fill in forms.

945,000 one in six in Scotland have a hearing loss.

Approximately 120,000 people use British Sign Language, 13,000 in Scotland. 

Around 500,000 people can’t hear well enough to use a telephone.

There is often a delay with people seeking help for their loss.

Tinnitus is a noise inside your head that has no external source. One in ten adults across the UK have tinnitus and increasing due to listening to music on headphones. At the moment there is no cure for tinnitus. 

There are lots of things that can help people to manage it effectively.

Loss can be conductive when bones fuse or there is a blockage. Cotton buds should not be used, it only compounds the problem.

Sensorineural- come through ageing, cancer, head injury, etc.

Impact of hearing loss - causes isolation, stop going out, support in employment. 

Identifying hearing loss.

Are you finding it difficult to follow conversations in noisy places.

Having the TV too loud.

Reporting other people are mumbling

Asking others to repeat themselves

Watching lips when you are talking

Not responding when spoken too.

There is an online check or you can visit your GP.

Ways to manage hearing loss.

• Hearing Aids
• Cochlear implants
• Equipment and assistive technology 
• Communication strategies - announce your problem
• Making your setting more inclusive - furnishings 
• Support available in your community
• Information line, tinnitus lime and online forum

6.7million people would benefit from hearing aids. 80-90% get benefit from hearing aids.  The younger your brain is when fitter helps.

Prevention - No more than one hour exposed at 80 decibels and above. Wear ear protectors even at fireworks parties.

www.actionhearingloss.org.uk