Hearing loss and hearing aids

The most common causes of hearing loss are noise and ageing.

Hearing loss is a natural consequence of getting older. Our hearing ability worsens from our 30s or 40s and onwards and when we reach our 80s, more than half of us suffer from significant hearing loss. Age related hearing loss is called Presbyacusis. Another common reason for hearing loss is exposure to noise. We live in a noisy world. Noise may come from our work or from voluntary exposure to noise, such as noisy motors or loud music at rock concerts, night clubs, discos and from stereos - with or without the use of headphones. Also the increasing use of portable MP3 players are causing hearing damages. Here, you can find information about the different types of hearing loss and some of the most common diseases which cause hearing impairments. You can find information about the social and psychological consequences of hearing loss, and you can read about noise, sound and one of our most incredible organs - the ear. Furthermore, you can read about the various types of hearing aids and other technical equipment and review the conditions and regulations governing the dispensing of hearing aids in different countries.