Listen up, Dr Magdel drums in on hearing loss
Review spoke to Dr Magdel de Klerk, audiologist from Kind2Hearing, on hearing loss and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones against it.
POLOKWANE – Of the five senses hearing is one of our most precious, but it is also one we often take for granted.
Review spoke to Dr Magdel de Klerk, audiologist from Kind2Hearing, on hearing loss and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones against it.
Depending on what the cause is of the hearing loss is, it can be prevented, she says.
“Hearing loss caused by noise can be prevented. We see a lot of noise-induced hearing loss among young people who wear earphones all the time. A golden rule to remember is that if your mother can hear the music, it is too loud.”
She says that there are a variety of preventive measures to take like buying earmuffs.
“Professional musicians as well as hunters often struggle from noise-induced hearing, as well as those who were in the army, as their eardrums were constantly bombarded by loud noises.”
For those who need to wear hearing aids but are ashamed of the fact, she explains that the technology of hearing aids has developed to the point that you often cannot even see the hearing device.
“People who wear hearing aids for hearing caused by old age, reported that their hearing becomes worse far less quickly as those that do not wear aids.”
Water might be a problem and many people will be able to relate swimming with ear ache. De Klerk says that if you have a history of middle ear infection, you should rather stay out of the water or wear ear plugs.
“Bacteria in the water can lead to infection. If there is even a small hole in your eardrum, water might get in and cause middle ear infection. Otherwise it may cause outer ear infection.”
An ear infection can be sever enough to cause speech and language problems. Her advise to parents whose child often complains about ear ache, is to take him/her to the doctor immediately.
