About Hearing
Hearing Loss
It’s estimated that around one-person-in-seven will have some kind of hearing loss during their lifetime so what is hearing loss and how can it be corrected? The sensitivity of our hearing is indicated by the quietest sound that we can detect, called the hearing threshold. Your threshold can be accurately measured by a hearing aid audiologist who will note on a graph the quietest sounds, at different frequencies, which you can hear. Normal hearing thresholds are not the same for all frequencies.
What can I do about it?
A consultation with an audiologist is the first step towards better hearing. And you can be sure you will get the best care from a BSHAA member. Our members are all hearing care professionals who must meet the qualification criteria set by the Health and Care Professions Council which by law regulates private sector audiologists in the United Kingdom. It is illegal to practice as a Hearing Aid Audiologist in this country without that registration. There is a strict code of conduct laid down by both BSHAA and the HCPC to ensure best advice and to protect the public.
Untreated, hearing loss can damage your health - and your relationships.
Hearing test
It is estimated that 10 million people in the UK, young and old, suffer from some form of hearing loss and sixty per cent of these (six million) would benefit from hearing aids. Sadly only about a quarter actually actually have them even though there is much research linking untreated hearing loss with poor performance at work, difficulty with personal relationships, social isolation and even depression and ill health.
You don’t neglect your teeth or your eyes so why neglect your hearing?
Have your hearing tested by a BSHAA member at least once a year
FAQs
You can find the answers to many questions about hearing, hearing loss and hearing aids by going to our FAQs
If I have a hearing problem and need a hearing aid does it mean I'm going deaf?
My partner struggles to hear the TV or radio but believes their hearing is fine. What should they do?
Our members aim to give the very best service, but the Customer Care Scheme provides an extra layer of support if anything goes wrong.
BSHAA has almost a thousand Hearing Aid Dispensers on its membership register so there is bound to be one not far from you. We built a tool which enables you to find one of our members quickly.
Hearing Protection
Your ears are important to you and should be looked after which is why you should protect them from loud noises which can cause damage. Consider hearing protection if you work in a noisy environment, use power tools on a regular basis, go shooting or work in a night club. You should also take care if you listen to music on personal earphones or attend lots of noisy music events.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any corresponding external cause. It may be heard in one or both ears or in the middle of the head and may be low, medium or high‑pitched. It may be continuous or come and go – but it can be debilitating.
Jargon Buster
Cochlea
The cochlea is a fluid filled chamber in the inner ear which converts sound to electrical impulses in the auditory nerve. Sound waves enter the cochlea from the middle ear causing the fluid to vibrate. Tiny sensory hair cells to pick up this movement and trigger the signal in the nerve which passes the signal to the brain to be interpreted as sound.