Holidaying with hearing loss: How to travel confidently without missing out
Facing the fun chaos at Aqua Park with my kids was a real dilemma—should I wear my cochlear implant aqua kit and risk losing it in the water, or just go without and miss out on the sounds? Traveling with hearing loss comes with challenges, but it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying experiences. Just stay…
Are you fire ready?
Amid predictions of a hot Australian summer, ensuring fire readiness, especially through smoke alarms, is crucial for all homeowners. For individuals with hearing loss, traditional smoke alarms may not suffice. Specialized systems and funding options exist, enhancing safety through alerting devices like strobe lights and bed shakers, ensuring timely warnings against fire hazards.
Finding Joy in the sounds of Christmas
Rediscover the magic of the holidays through the sounds that make the season special. From laughter to Christmas music (even the Mariah Carey kind), here’s how hearing loss has taught me to find gratitude in every moment.
Hearing loss news from Healthy Hearing
- Invisible hearing aids fit deep in the ear, making them very discreet. Learn about the pros and cons of invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune disease can affect hearing. Here's why and what to do.
- Hearing loss can be a side effect of ototoxic medication and drugs. Find out which drugs can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.
- Cancer treatment, especially cisplatin, can cause hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness. Find out why this happens and what you can do about it.
- Cardiac disease increases your risk of hearing loss and tinnitus. Find out what the research shows and how to lower your risk.
Hearing News from The Hearing Review
- New over-the-counter hearing aids and smart glasses with advanced audio features were showcased by multiple companies at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
- The new Ceretone Core One Pro invisible-in-canal device features four listening modes and app-free controls via its charging case.
- Cearvol unveiled an open-ear hearing aid, smart hearing glasses, and a hearing aid featuring a touchscreen charging case.
- Elehear Delight features a completely-in-canal (CIC) form factor and incorporates artificial intelligence for sound processing.
- We need all hearing care professionals right now. The Department of Education’s plan to stop recognizing audiology as a professional program risks limiting the supply of future audiologists.
Hearing loss news from ScienceDaily
- Many people with multiple sclerosis struggle with balance and coordination, and this study uncovers a hidden reason why. Researchers found that inflammation in the brain disrupts the energy supply of vital movement-controlling neurons. As their mitochondria fail, these cells weaken and eventually die, worsening motor problems over time. Protecting brain energy systems could open the […]
- Researchers discovered that clogged brain “drains” show up early in people at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. These blockages, easily seen on standard MRI scans, are tied to toxic protein buildup linked to memory loss and cognitive decline. In some cases, they may signal Alzheimer’s earlier than other commonly used brain markers. This could help physicians […]
- In a rare and historic achievement, Children’s Hospital Colorado successfully completed its first dual heart and liver transplant in a pediatric patient. The life-saving surgery was performed on 11-year-old Gracie Greenlaw, whose congenital heart condition eventually led to liver failure. Dozens of specialists worked together for years to prepare for a moment like this, executing […]
- Scientists studying young adults with obesity discovered early indicators of brain stress that resemble patterns seen in cognitive impairment. The group showed higher inflammation, signs of liver strain and elevated neurofilament light chain, a marker of neuron injury. Low choline levels appeared closely tied to these changes. The results hint that early metabolic disruptions may […]
- New research suggests the COVID-19 vaccine could help children with eczema stay healthier overall. Vaccinated kids had lower rates of infections and allergies, including asthma and rhinitis, compared with unvaccinated peers. Experts believe the vaccine may help prevent allergic conditions from worsening, showing its value beyond protection from COVID-19.
Hearing loss facts
Hearing loss is a global and national health crisis. It is an often misunderstood disability that has some very inaccurate stigmas attached to it. For the majority affected by hearing loss, the main difficulty comes from a lack of clarity of speech, especially when there is any background noise.
Hearing Loss does not only affect the elderly
- According to the World Health Organization, over 360 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss.
- One in six Australians is affected by hearing loss. With an ageing population, this is expected to increase to one in four by 2050.
- Of the one in six affected, most believe their own hearing is fine. Around two in five say their hearing is “very good” or “almost perfect”, while one in four say their hearing is below average.
- Only 20% of the Australians who could benefit from a hearing aid actually use one.
- Nearly 40% of the hearing loss experienced by individuals was caused by Noise-induced Hearing Loss; this is preventable and repeated exposure to loud noise.
- In 2010, the National Acoustic Laboratories published the Binge Listening Report which revealed young Australians have a greater risk of acquiring a hearing loss through their leisure activities, (listening to music through headphones, regularly going to nightclubs and live music concerts)
- Nearly half of Australians is affected by hearing loss were working age (16-64 years)
- It roughly takes seven to 10 years, on average, before someone with hearing loss seeks treatment for it.
The effects of untreated hearing loss
Studies have linked untreated hearing loss effects to:
- Irritability, negativism and anger
- Fatigue, tension, stress and depression
- Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
- Social rejection and loneliness
- Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
- Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
- Reduced job performance and earning power
- Diminished psychological and overall health
Words describing deafness and hearing loss
There are no rights and wrongs about the words used to describe a person’s hearing loss. However, generally accepted definitions are as follows:
- Deafened – people who were born with hearing and have lost most or all of their hearing later in life.
- Hard of hearing – people who have lost some but not all hearing.
- deaf (lower case ‘d’) – people who have hearing loss; they may be born deaf or become deaf. They mix well in the hearing world and may communicate orally and may also be users of sign language.
- Deaf (upper case ‘D’) refers to people who are members of the Deaf community and who communicate almost exclusively with sign language.
- Hearing impaired – anyone with any level of hearing loss.
- Acquired hearing loss – people who were born with hearing but have lost some or all of their hearing.
- Congenital hearing loss – born with hearing loss which may become progressively worse
There a number of noteworthy past and present people in music, movies, and media who suffer from hearing loss
- Angus Young – Musician (AC/DC)
- Barbara Streisand – Actress
- Bill Clinton – Past U.S president
- Halle Berry – Actress
- Paul Stanley – Musician (KISS)
- Mark Ruffalo – Actor
- Stephen Colbert – Comedian
- Osher Günsberg – Television Presenter (The Bachelor Australia)
- Thomas Edison – Inventor
- Rob Lowe – Actor
- Millie Bobby Brown – Actress (Stranger Things)
- Eric Clapton – Musician
- William Shatner – Actor (Star Trek)
- Ludwig Van Beethoven – Composer
- Huey Lewis – Musician
- Whoopi Goldberg – Actress
- Lou Ferrigno – Body Builder/Actor (The Incredible Hulk)
- Robert Redford – Actor
- Jodie Foster – Actress
Talking Hearing Loss 