Summary: Arne Harang (26) is severely hearing impaired and dependent on hearing aids CI to hear. A survey from the Institute of Public Health and STAMI shows that younger people are better at using their hearing aids. Audiographer Thea Espenes says that hearing aids have developed enormously in recent years, with better sound quality and smarter technology. Audio educator Elin Gustavsen explains that hearing loss can affect the psyche in several ways, including burnout and withdrawal from social settings. Head of HFLU Stine Wold believes the hearing impaired still face prejudice and challenges A report from 2023 shows that they often experience discrimination. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Arne Harang (26) is among the few young Norwegians who are completely dependent on hearing aids. – I am completely deaf in my right ear, and have little hearing in my left. Without CI I hear very little. The sounds are there, but you don’t catch the content of what is being said, Harang explains. According to SNL, there are 250,000 to 300,000 Norwegians who have varying degrees of hearing loss. The majority are aged 50 and over. This is hearing loss Photo: Maria Johannessen / news Being hearing impaired means that your hearing is impaired. It involves everything from mild impairment to complete deafness. According to HLF, one in five Norwegians suffers from some form of hearing impairment. There are four main types of hearing aids: Behind-the-ear device, In-ear device, BAHA and CI. CI is a more “advanced” device that is offered to people with severe hearing loss. CI and BAHA are the only ones that require surgery. The most used devices are behind-the-ear devices and in-ear devices. In Norway, the Norwegian Association of the Hearing Impaired is the largest association for people with impaired hearing. A survey from the Institute of Public Health and STAMI shows that younger people with hearing loss use hearing aids more often than older people with hearing loss. Harang has never felt discomfort or been uncomfortable when he goes out with the device. – I think we are in the midst of a societal change, where differences are becoming more accepted. Younger people think it’s cool to be able to stand out a bit. Before, you would prefer to blend in with the crowd. “Everyone” has something in their ears now Thea Espenes is an audiologist and is clinic manager for HØR Fredrikstad. She explains that the aids have developed enormously in recent years. – Now you put smarter technology into a much smaller device. Not least, the sound quality is much better. – Most hearing aids can now be connected to a telephone, so that they can replace wireless earplugs. COMMON SIGHT: Not everyone needs a hearing aid, but many use plugs in their ears, points out audiologist Thea Espenes. Photo: Maria Johannessen / news Today, most of us use earphones, and many have technology as a hobby. Espenes believes it is positive for those who depend on aids. – We find that younger people think it’s cool with today’s technology. It’s not as foreign anymore. Today “everyone” walks around but something in their ears anyway. Hearing loss goes beyond the psyche Elin Gustavsen is a trained audio pedagogue. She works daily with people who have varying degrees of hearing loss. As an audio pedagogue, Elin Gustavsen works with the hearing impaired in all age groups. Photo: Maria Johannessen / news – We know that hearing loss can affect the psyche in several ways. It is very important for health that you use appliances if you need to. Gustavsen explains that people who walk around with impaired hearing experience repeated communication breakdowns, get tired more quickly and many burn out. – Not least, there are many who end up withdrawing from social settings. The hearing loss leads to insecurity, and it affects self-esteem. The hearing-impaired still face challenges Stine Cathrine Wold is head of the Hearing Impaired National Association Youth Department Østfold. Wold himself has impaired hearing and thinks it is great that more young people are using hearing aids. But the HLFU leader points out that there are still many who face prejudices and challenges. Together with Blindeforbundet and Stiftelsen Stopp Discrimineringen, HLF presented a report in 2023. It says that hearing-impaired people often experience discrimination. Stine Wold is a leader in HLFU Østfold. And is an advocate for the rights of the hearing impaired. Photo: Privat Wold points out that she herself has experienced how others get frustrated when she doesn’t get messages, and that people are underestimated because their hearing is poor. – It is an invisible handicap, which many do not know what it entails. – Especially as a young person, it is vulnerable to receiving comments, and that the hearing loss becomes something that “everyone” thinks is fun to joke about. Do you know someone who uses a hearing aid? Yes, I do😃 I use a hearing aid myself😊 No, I don’t think so🤔 Show result – They thought I was retarded Harang and the family also encountered ignorance related to the hearing loss early on. – My mother noticed that I did not develop a spoken language or respond when my parents spoke to me. There were investigations at the hospital, but they did not find out. – They only concluded that I was retarded or mentally retarded. Furthermore, Harang says that the mother stood her ground and demanded further investigations. In the end, they found out that he was severely hearing impaired. This small device means that Arne Harang gets most of what is happening. Photo: Maria Johannessen / news Today, Harang has completed his education and is in work. The fact that the Sarpsborg boy feels confident about and using the hearing aids is largely due to the fact that he has always had good friends and family. Since childhood, both he and his parents have been concerned that hearing should not be an obstacle. – My mother said that it is perfectly fine that I have the challenges I have. It just means that I have to put in a little extra effort to even out the differences. – It is the reality that you have that functional impairment. But you can’t dig in and give up either. 10 tips to care for your hearing👂 😇 Everyone needs breaks, including your ears. If you have been around loud noises for a long time, it is good to be quiet for a while. 😎Use protection. If you are going to loud places such as concerts or nightclubs, use earplugs. And remember you must not stand right next to the speakers. 🕑Everyone likes and listens to music. There is actually a “60 rule” that you can follow so that your hearing is not damaged. No higher than 60% volume, and a maximum of 60 minutes at a time. ✋ Many people have probably heard this several times before, but don’t shove q-tips in their ears. The earwax falls further in and blocks the ear canal. A general tip is not to push anything into the ears. 😃Don’t hesitate to contact an audiologist. An audiologist can check your hearing, clean earwax and provide guidance if you suspect there is something wrong with your hearing. Published 10.07.2024, at 05.12
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More young people are comfortable using hearing aids – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
