Gehoor in die Moot

What is the difference between hearing, listening and understanding?

Understanding what is being spoken is dependent on your listening skills. Good listening skills are dependent on normal hearing abilities.

Hearing is dependent on the physical condition and functioning of the ears. You cannot switch your hearing abilities on and off when you want to. When your hearing abilities deteriorate, you will experience difficulty hearing soft speech, hearing over a distance or following a conversation in the presence of any background noise. Even a mild hearing loss will cause listening difficulties.

Listening implies paying attention to what is heard. With a hearing loss, listening requires greater attention, effort and concentration. This is physically taxing and causes tiredness.

Understanding implies that you correctly comprehend what is being said. Your brain interprets and processes the words that you hear.

Untreated hearing loss will negatively affect your listening and understanding abilities. It is important NOT to delay diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.

Untreated hearing loss results in loss of brain stimulation. Keep your brain stimulated by hearing again.

Should I wear hearing aids all the time?

Literature has shown evidence that persons who wear their hearing aids all waking hours of the day, are considered successful users and experience the benefits of hearing aids. Your audiologist has probably advised you to wear them every day after you have completed the 3–4 week adjustment period from first being fitted with hearing aids.

Some patients will ask why they should wear their hearing aids if they are alone at home or in a quiet room. Keep in mind that there are always sounds around you.

Environmental sounds should be heard, and the hearing of sounds makes you feel safe.

Your audiologist would like to know the reason/s for not wearing your hearing aids.

Is it because:

• Your own voice sound unnatural?
• The hearing aid/s are hurting you or not fitting well?
• You don’t hear better with your hearing aids?
• Some sounds are too sharp or bothersome.
• You still cannot hear in a noisy environment?

If you experience any of the above difficulties, you should bring them to your audiologist’s attention. This can be addressed and even resolved.