The importance of our sense of hearing

The Importance of our Sense of Hearing

Being able to hear is something we take for granted.  We use it every day to socialize, for work, for study and to communicate; basically to stay connected to the outside world.  Our sense of hearing keeps us safe by warning us of potential dangers.  A telephone ringing, unusual sounds, an alarm going off unexpectedly are sounds we need to be able to hear in order to cope effectively in our lives.

Since our hearing is such an integral part of our lives, it is crucial that we do everything in our power to ensure we look after our hearing and that we take action should we suspect there may be a problem.  The month of October is Audiology Awareness month where the importance and primacy of the Profession of Audiology is highlighted to help the public understand what hearing loss entails, how to identify it and what an Audiologist can do to help this condition.

Hearing Loss is becoming more Common

Recent studies show that hearing loss is becoming more common in modern society.  In fact, one in two adults over the age of 50 experiences some kind of hearing loss.  Unfortunately things are not nearly as easy with a hearing loss.  When hearing loss occurs a person may begin to experience all sorts of emotions – from worry to sadness, to loneliness.  The person may also feel tired and irritable from having to concentrate extremely hard just to hear what people are saying.  Left unattended, hearing loss can ultimately lead to feelings of isolation and depression.

The Good News

The good news is that things do not have to stay this way.  Living with a hearing loss these days is however nothing like it used to be.  Thanks to the latest technology, there are many products in the market that can help people to overcome the difficulties of hearing loss. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the signs and symptoms as early as possible, so that a hearing loss doesn’t limit our social lives.

More good news is that the profession of Audiology is dedicated to helping people experiencing hearing loss.  An Audiologist is a licensed hearing health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children. We can think of an audiologist primarily as a “hearing doctor.”

Audiologists typically offer the following services:

• Complete hearing exams
• Fitting, adjustment, and maintenance of hearing aids
• Treatment for balance disorders and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Hearing and speech rehabilitation programs

Audiologists possess comprehensive knowledge of the human auditory and vestibular systems, and they have extensive training in sound reproduction, which is critical to the accurate fitting and adjustment of hearing aids.

Audiology Awareness Month

There is no reason anyone should have to endure the emotional pain and dysfunction caused by hearing loss.  That is the reason why this Audiology Awareness month is so critical in order to make people aware that there are solutions out there offered by highly trained professions such as Dr Tami Mehl who runs Tami Mehl Audiology.

Tami Mehl Audiology

Tami has more than 25 years of clinical experience, combined with an honour’s degree in Speech Therapy and Audiology from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Master’s degree in Communication Pathology and Audiology from the University of Pretoria and a Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida in the USA.

Tami Mehl Audiology offers you the best in patient-centered care plus the convenience of two practices; one in Illovo and the other in Bedfordview.  Both practices offer friendly staff members, a warm and collaborative atmosphere and, most importantly, a thorough service from Professional Audiologists and support team members.

The Audiologists at both practices are:

• Fully qualified with current clinical certificates;
• Registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa;
• Committed to regular Continuing Education programmes;
• Up to date with rapidly changing technology;
• Known for uncompromising clinical and ethical standards.

To book an appointment you can contact either the BEDFORDVIEW PRACTICE on 011 622 6314 – which is situated at Suite 10 Bedford Gardens Medical Suites, 3 Bradford Road, Bedford Gardens, Germiston or the ILLOVO PRACTICE on 011 268 0490 – which is situated at Block 1, Oxford Manor, 196 Oxford Rd, Illovo.

Tami Mehl Audiology is about Optimal Hearing and Optimal Balance – what better month to have your Hearing and Balance tested than now in Audiology Awareness Month