Talking Hearing Loss

It’s funny the things you remember from childhood. When I was six or seven, I remember receiving a Christmas present called ‘The Book of Knowledge’. This book had a fantastic section that described how different parts of the body worked using pictures of crazy machine type contraptions to illustrate the mechanics. It also had little experiments that the reader could try.

The section on hearing described a test you could do where you needed to turn on the radio, close both eyes, cover one ear, turn on the spot once or twice and then try to locate the radio by sound alone. I was amazed at how difficult this was to do and while at the time I didn’t understand why it was so hard, it was something that always stayed with me.

It’s ironic that some 10 or so years later, my hearing deteriorated to the point that I fully understood the real-life challenges that this childhood experiment was implying when I narrowly escaped a fatal accident because I didn’t hear a heavy vehicle approaching from my deaf side.

Few people can fully understand just what it means to have a hearing loss. Many people think that it just means sounds are not as loud anymore and while this is factually true, it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Hearing loss is not only about volume of sounds. Ask anyone who has a hearing loss about the biggest challenge they face, and they will tell you that it’s mainly about clarity of speech, especially when there are competing sounds around them. They might tell you that sounds quickly go from being too soft to hear to suddenly loud and they might also tell you that they have poor sound localisation.

Sound localisation is our ability to locate something based on the direction its sound is coming from. It’s what allows us to identify that unseen train approaching to our right or to tell that there is a dog barking behind us. Without good sound localisation, we might hear the train but not know where it is or we might frantically be looking around for the barking dog; knowing that it is somewhere near but not knowing exactly where. It was a sound localisation which my childhood ‘Book of Knowledge’ had taught me about, though I didn’t know it at the time.

What does poor sound localisation mean to someone with a hearing loss?

Quite simply it means that without visual cues; if we’re unable to see you when you’re calling us, it is possible that we have no idea where you are or that you are even there.

Something that used to happen to me a lot, before I got my cochlear implant, was driving in the car and hearing the siren of an emergency vehicle but having no idea where the sound was coming from. This was very frightening and would cause me anxiety every time especially if I was approaching an intersection.

People with hearing loss, particularly those with asymmetric or unilateral hearing loss, often experience significant difficulties with sound localisation. Some of the key impacts include:

1. Safety Risks:
   • Difficulty in Detecting Danger: Poor sound localisation can make it hard to identify the direction of approaching vehicles, alarms, or other potential hazards, increasing the risk of accidents.
   • Emergency Situations: In emergencies, such as fires or natural disasters, quick and accurate sound localisation can be lifesaving. Individuals with hearing loss may struggle to locate the source of alarms or calls for help.
2. Social Interaction Challenges:
   • Communication Difficulties: Locating and turning towards a speaking person is essential for effective communication, especially in noisy environments. People with hearing loss may find it challenging to engage in group conversations or follow discussions in crowded places.
   • Isolation and Anxiety: Struggling to localise sounds can lead to social withdrawal and increased anxiety in public spaces, where the inability to locate sounds can feel overwhelming.
3. Navigational Difficulties:
   • Orienting in Space: Sound localisation helps us orient ourselves and navigate through different environments. Individuals with poor sound localisation may find it difficult to move confidently in unfamiliar places, leading to reduced independence.
   • Locating Devices and Sources: Everyday tasks, such as finding a ringing phone or identifying the source of a beep, become challenging without precise sound localisation.

Technological and Therapeutic Interventions

Advancements in hearing technology and therapeutic interventions offer hope and assistance to those struggling with poor sound localisation:

1. Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants:
   • Binaural Hearing Aids: Devices designed for both ears can improve the ability to process sound localisation cues.
   • Advanced Algorithms: Modern hearing aids and cochlear implants use sophisticated algorithms to enhance sound localisation abilities.
2. Auditory Training:
   • Rehabilitation Programs: Auditory training programs can help individuals with hearing loss improve their sound localisation skills through targeted exercises and practice.
   • Virtual Reality (VR): VR-based auditory training environments offer immersive experiences to enhance spatial hearing.
3. Assistive Technologies:
   • Alerting Devices: Specialised alerting devices that use visual or vibrational signals can supplement auditory cues for safety and navigation.
   • Directional Microphones: These can help focus on sound from a specific direction, improving localisation in challenging listening environments.

Poor sound localisation means that if we ask you where you are and you reply with something generic like ‘I’m over here’ you might as well be saying you’re on the moon because we have about as much chance of finding you.

So, if you’re dealing with someone with a hearing loss and you need them to come to you or if they ask you where you are, rather than using words like ‘here’ or ‘there’ try using the name of the location itself.

“Can you come to the kitchen?” is going to be much more helpful for someone with a hearing loss than ‘Can you come here?’

Poor sound localisation can significantly impact the lives of people with hearing loss, affecting their safety, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Understanding these challenges is crucial for developing effective solutions and supporting those affected. With advancements in technology and targeted interventions, it is possible to mitigate some of these difficulties, helping individuals with hearing loss navigate the world more confidently and safely.