{"id":3786,"date":"2022-10-12T16:28:07","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T15:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/?page_id=3786"},"modified":"2023-02-08T10:57:51","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T10:57:51","slug":"audiology-sensory-impairment-hearing-loss-tinnitus-and-hearing-aids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/audiology-sensory-impairment-hearing-loss-tinnitus-and-hearing-aids\/","title":{"rendered":"Audiology – Sensory Impairment: Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Hearing Aids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Who we are and what we do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We assess<\/strong> and provide<\/strong> rehabilitation for hearing loss and tinnitus. Our services cover all Lothian areas.

We have specialist clinics for people who have dementia and for Adults with Learning Disabilities.  We can assess hearing if people are able to tolerate wearing headphones and are able to make a response of any kind when they hear a sound.

We have a limited Domiciliary visit service for people who are unable to attend any Outpatient appointments.

Rehabilitation for hearing loss is usually by issue of hearing aids but we can also provide alternative listeners. Council-funded services also provide equipment such as TV listeners on loan to people who have been assessed as being deaf or hard of hearing, and can give advice on other support available. 

Rehabilitation for tinnitus  is by helping people hear better using hearing aids, by providing sound generators and by counselling and advice. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Always Be Sensory Aware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Always ask about hearing and vision and usual means of communication – if the person themselves cannot tell you then please ask their relatives or most recent Care Provider.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hearing Loss<\/h2>
\n
\n
\n

How common is hearing loss?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At least 75% of care home residents will have some degree of hearing loss. The most common cause is presbyacusis – the loss of hearing for high pitched sounds due to ageing.

People can hear speech but have trouble with clarity<\/strong> as they can’t hear consonants<\/strong> such as ‘f’, ‘s’, ‘th’, ‘c\/k’ – so words such as ‘sat’, ‘that’, ‘cat’ would all sound the same. As presbyacusis worsens, they start missing more consonants and then have trouble hearing speech at all.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Why is hearing loss important?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hearing is vital for residents to know what is happening around them, especially when people or things are out of sight. Therefore, untreated hearing loss can affect communication during patient care and lead to social isolation and depression. Hearing loss can also cause frustration and irritation due to communication breakdown.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

What does hearing loss sound like?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The short clip below tries to demonstrate how presbyacusis sounds – the chart on the video shows the level of hearing loss which changes from mild to moderate to severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n