Action on Hearing Loss tinnitus simulation Audio
Sherrie Hewson is a seasoned soap star, known for her roles on the ITV soap operas Coronation Street, Crossroads and Emmerdale. She was also a panellist on lunchtime chat show Loose Women for more than a decade. The TV star recently received a surprise diagnosis after taking a trip to local optometrists for an eye test.
During her routine eye test, Sherrie was advised to see a hearing expert by the optician.
A check-up revealed that her hearing had been in decline for a number of years.
Following her hearing loss diagnosis, Sherrie wears hearing aids in both of her ears and the difference it has made to her life has been significant.
Sherrie can now identify certain noises more more clearly and with less outside distortion, she explained.
We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.
“I couldn’t believe the difference. I can hear everything now,” Hewson told The Sunday People, back in 2019.
“I’m only wearing them at home at the moment. I tried them outdoors but the traffic was too loud. It was a shock.
“What people don’t understand is that, if you’re deaf, it’s not the volume that you miss so much as the clarity.”
The difference hearing aids brought to her life was also brought with it a curious realisation.
DON’T MISS
Coronavirus new strain: Seven symptoms to watch out for this Christmas [INSIGHT]
Covid vaccine calculator: Check when you will get the Covid vaccine here [TIPS]
Lewy body dementia symptoms: Posture changes may signal the onset of brain decline [ADVICE]
Sherrie said she must have spent much of life lip-reading without realising it.
In fact, she was “forever accusing the family of mumbling”, she pointed out.
That’s not the only realisation – wearing hearing aids has also showed Hewson how loud she had her television and radio, she added.
In light of her experience, the actress urged the public to make sure they wear their hearing aids, if they’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss.
She warned that simply turning the volume up on their TV screens would be causing even further damage to their ears.
How do I know if I have hearing loss?
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It often comes on gradually as you get older, but it can sometimes happen suddenly.
As the NHS explains, it’s not always easy to tell if you’re losing your hearing.
Common signs include:
- Difficulty hearing other people clearly, and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Listening to music or watching television loudly
- Having to concentrate hard to hear what other people are saying, which can be tiring or stressful.
“The signs can be slightly different if you only have hearing loss in one ear or if a young child has hearing loss,” explains the NHS.
According to the health body, many of these problems are often caused by hearing loss that can happen as you get older.
“This is permanent, but treatments such as hearing aids can help,” it says.
Hearing aids are small electronic devices worn in your ear that make sounds louder and clearer, although they will not give you back your full hearing.
Source: Read Full Article