Deaf and hearing impairment
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It often comes on gradually as you get older, but it can sometimes happen suddenly.
It's not always easy to tell if you're losing your hearing. Common signs include:
- difficulty hearing other people clearly, and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
- asking people to repeat themselves
- listening to music or watching television loudly
- having to concentrate hard to hear what other people are saying, which can be tiring or stressful
The signs can be slightly different if you only have hearing loss in one ear or if a young child has hearing loss.
Hearing loss can have many different causes. For example:
- sudden hearing loss in one ear may be due to earwax, an ear infection, a perforated (burst) eardrum or Ménière's disease
- sudden hearing loss in both ears may be due to damage from a very loud noise, or taking certain medicines that can affect hearing
- gradual hearing loss in one ear may be due to something inside the ear, such as fluid (glue ear), a bony growth (otosclerosis) or a build-up of skin cells (cholesteatoma)
- gradual hearing loss in both ears is usually caused by ageing or exposure to loud noises over many years
Read about hearing loss on the NHS website.
Online hearing test
Treatments for hearing loss
Hearing loss sometimes gets better on its own or may be treated with medicine or a simple procedure. For example, earwax can be sucked out, or softened with eardrops.
But other types – such as gradual hearing loss, which often happens as you get older – may be permanent. In these cases, treatment can help make the most of the remaining hearing. This may involve using:
- hearing aids – several different types are available on the NHS or privately
- implants – devices that are attached to your skull or placed deep inside your ear, if hearing aids are not suitable
- different ways of communicating – such as sign language or lip reading
Preventing hearing loss
While you can't always prevent hearing loss, you can reduce the risk by:
- Keeping your TV, radio, or music at a reasonable volume.
- Using headphones that block outside noise instead of turning up the volume.
- Wearing ear protection (like ear defenders) if you work in a noisy place, such as a garage or construction site. Musicians can use special earplugs that let some noise in.
- Using ear protection at loud concerts and events.
- Not putting objects in your or your children's ears, like fingers, cotton buds, cotton wool, or tissues.
Useful contacts and information
Sensory services: Kent.gov
Support for adults who are d/Deaf or deafblind - Kent County Council
NHS hearing aids and implants
Hearing aids and implants - NHS
Hi Kent
Hi Kent supports people with hearing loss across Kent. They offer various services, including:
-
NHS hearing aid maintenance clinics: Free drop-in clinics for cleaning, re-tubing, and battery changes
- Social groups: Monthly meetings to help people connect and reduce social isolation
- Courses: Lipreading classes, British Sign Language lessons, and tinnitus support
- Ear care services: Wax removal and ear care advice
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a UK charity that trains dogs to assist deaf individuals. These dogs help by alerting their owners to important sounds like doorbells, alarms, and phones, and they also provide companionship.
Visit the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People website
Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
RNID is a UK charity that supports people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or tinnitus. They offer a range of services, including:
- Information and support: Resources on hearing loss, tinnitus, and communication tips.
- Technology and products: Assistive devices like hearing aids, alerting devices, and accessibility tools
- Community services: Local support and training to help organisations become more accessible
- Research and campaigns: Funding research into hearing health and advocating for better services
Afasic
Afasic is a charity that supports children and young adults with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs, focusing on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
. They offer various services, including:
- Information and support: Resources for families to understand and manage speech, language and communication needs
- Helpline: A dedicated helpline for parents and carers to get advice and support
- Courses and workshops: Training and support for parents, carers, and professionals
Kent Libraries
