|
|
Hearing is one of our five senses (touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing). A reduction in hearing ability is called a hearing loss or hearing impairment.
Sound is an important element of living | The sounds around us are perceived by our hearing system 24 hours a day. Hearing is not a sense that you can ‘turn off’.
Our hearing works at several levels: With our hearing we perceive background sounds, such as traffic noise, or more relevant sounds, such as the ringing of an alarm clock. What is generally most important is, however, the ability to hear speech – to communicate.
Our hearing system must be able to distinguish among a multitude of sounds – from the soft rustle of leaves to complex sentences. When our hearing ability is reduced, we are no longer able to hear sounds optimally.
In the following pages, you can read more about the physiological and more factual aspects of hearing impairment.
|
 A hearing loss is not just a question of not being able to hear. Hearing difficulties require a lot of energy from the hearing impaired person. |
Take a tour of the ear and see how the hearing system functions. A hearing loss is often accompanied by increased sensitivity to sound – soft sounds become difficult to hear and loud sounds uncomfortably loud. Try testing your hearing and see if you should have it checked.
|