Most of us know that if we are exposed to constant noise (above 50 decibels) then we increase the risk of permanent hearing damage. But did you know that hearing loss is only one of the problems associated with exposure to noise?

In the last 10 years, especially with advent of digital technology, hearing aids have changed dramatically.

Hearing aid glasses are glasses which have the hearing aid built into one (or both) of the arms of the glasses.

Many hearing aids, and in some cases people with a Cochlear Implant, will require that you have a hearing mould.

When I had hearing aids all they could do was amplify all sound. But technology has improved and hearing aids are just so much better.

More and more people are requiring and have access to hearing aids. What are the reasons behind this increase?

In an earlier article I looked at how going deaf impacted on our education? The main reason is because language is incredibly difficult to acquire if you can’t hear and without language it’s especially hard to participate in school or university. So does having a cochlear implant help?

Our ears not only channel sound into our cochlea and then to the brain so we can understand noise, they also play an important role in allowing us to stand upright – to keep our balance.

Does our general health affect our hearing? It has long been recognised that hearing loss can have an effect on our mental health causing anxiety, loss of self esteem and depression. Are things which are going on in other parts of our body affecting our hearing?

In South Australia we have endured a heat wave and Adelaide, our capital city, earned the title (for a day) as the hottest city in the world. I wondered whether this heat can affect our hearing. There are a few things which might affect our hearing.