Better Hearing: Information and tips for improving hearing

In a world full of sounds and noises, hearing is essential for everyday life. Unfortunately, many people suffer from hearing loss or hearing impairment. In this guide, we give you tips and advice on how to improve your hearing and increase the quality of your everyday life.

The role of the brain in hearing

Hearing is not only a function of the ear, but also of the brain. Our hearing picks up sounds and our brain processes them so that we can understand them. Hearing loss can therefore also be an impairment of the brain. A hearing test by an audiologist or acoustician can provide information about the extent of the hearing loss.
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Hearing loss and hearing impairment

Hearing is one of the most important sensory abilities of humans. It enables us to communicate with others, perceive danger and experience the world around us. Unfortunately, hearing can be impaired for a variety of reasons, which can lead to a reduction in hearing or even hearing loss. In this section, we will explain these two terms in more detail and discuss the different ways to deal with them and improve hearing.

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is the loss of hearing in one or both ears. It may be congenital or develop over a lifetime. The causes can be many, such as an injury, a disease, or a decline in hearing due to age. There are different degrees of hearing loss, from mild to severe, and it can affect different frequencies. For example, a person may have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds while hearing low-pitched sounds normally. Hearing loss can also affect the understanding of
speech, especially in noisy environments or when multiple people are speaking at the same time.

Hearing instruments and hearing aids

Hearing aids are small technical devices that improve hearing. They amplify sounds and make them more audible to the ear. There are different types of hearing aids that can be customized by the hearing care professional. Some hearing aids are worn behind the ear, others in the ear canal. Modern hearing aids can also be wirelessly connected to other devices, such as a smartphone or television. Hearing training can additionally help train the hearing and improve hearing ability. This involves special exercises aimed at training the hearing and the brain to better process and understand sounds.

Hear better and prevent hearing loss

It is critical to protect hearing and prevent possible hearing loss. Some people are genetically predisposed to hearing problems, but there are also many external factors that can affect hearing. Here are some tips on how to protect your hearing:
Reduce volume: Loud sounds and noise are one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Therefore, try to reduce the volume of music, TV and other devices to a reasonable level. Even if you listen to music through headphones, make sure the volume is not too high.
Protection in noisy environments: Use hearing protection or earplugs during noisy activities, e.g. at a concert, when mowing the lawn or using loud machines.
Regular medical examinations: A buildup of earwax can affect hearing and should therefore be removed regularly by a doctor. Other health problems, such as infections or diseases of the middle ear, can also affect hearing and should therefore be detected and treated at an early stage.
Avoid smoking: Smoking can affect blood circulation in the ear, increasing your risk for hearing problems. If you are a smoker, quitting can help protect your hearing.
Healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help keep hearing healthy. Vitamins A, C and E and the minerals magnesium and zinc are particularly important.

Hearing better in everyday life

Hearing problems can significantly affect everyday life and make it difficult to follow conversations, watch TV or listen to music. Fortunately, there are some strategies and tools that can help to hear better in everyday life.

Communication with relatives

Communication with family and friends can be made difficult by hearing loss. It is important to talk openly about the hearing loss and to inform the relatives about it. In this way, misunderstandings can be avoided and relatives can be considerate and supportive. For example, they can make sure to speak clearly and distinctly, reduce background noise, and turn toward the affected person when speaking.

Better hearing with technical aids

There are various technical aids that can make hearing easier in everyday life. These include
Special phones: There are phones specially designed for people with hearing problems. They have a higher volume and can also give visual signals when a call comes in.
Doorbell systems with light signal: These systems emit a light signal when someone rings the doorbell. In this way, even people with poor hearing can tell when a visitor is coming.
Inductive hearing systems: These systems transmit the audio signal wirelessly to the hearing aid or cochlear implant processor. They can be installed in various public facilities, such as theaters or churches.
Hearing amplifiers: These devices amplify sounds and make them more audible. They can be helpful in various situations, for example when watching TV or listening to music

Hear better with the TV sound amplifier OSKAR from faller audio

The OSKAR TV hearing amplifier from faller audio is a special aid for improving hearing when watching TV. The portable TV loudspeaker with special dialogue optimization amplifies speech while watching TV, making it clearer and easier to understand without having to increase the volume of the TV. The TV sound amplifier OSKAR is easy to use and can be connected to any television. A valuable aid for people with hearing loss or hearing impairment to enjoy their evening in front of the TV to the full.
Find out more about the TV sound processor OSKAR now

Hear better: How can you improve your hearing?

Deterioration of hearing can have many causes, from a simple from a simple accumulation of earwax to more serious problems problems such as damage to the inner ear. Fortunately, there are methods of improving hearing or at least slowing down further at least slow down further hearing loss.

Hearing test and audiologist

The first step in improving hearing is to accurately determine the extent determination of the extent of hearing loss. A hearing test by a hearing care professional or ENT physician can provide information about the extent hearing loss and the nature of the hearing problem. The hearing care professional or doctor can then make individual recommendations and select a suitable hearing system. hearing system.

Better hearing thanks to hearing training

Another important step in improving hearing is hearing training. Hearing is like a muscle - the more it is trained, the better it gets. Hearing training can help train the hearing and improve hearing ability. There are several exercises and programs that train the brain and the ear to better cope with hearing loss.