Page 50 - Bulletin, Vol.78 No.2, June 2019

OF AGE AND HEARING…

By Marc LOUVET

During a recent visit to AFICS/AAFI's office I discovered
“Malentendance, mode d'emploi” a brochure issued by
the Association Genevoise des Malentendants (AGDM),
association for the hearing-impaired, published in 2016
and written by Dr. Pierre Liard, distinguished ORL (ENT),
now retired.

Being hearing-impaired myself and outfitted for the past 20 years, I read a lot on the
subject. The AGM brochure is the most complete and educational I came across. I
warmly recommend you to read it. If you have doubts about your hearing capacity, do
not wait to consult an ENT specialist and, if required, get fitted out with hearing-aids. It
is important to have both ears fitted at the same time.

As the years go by our brain loses the capacity to process the sounds we no longer
hear or perceive badly, especially high frequencies, and it takes a while to readapt. The
longer you wait, the more difficult it is. This is the reason why a lot of people give up. Be
reactive and persevere.

The hearing prosthetist will first adjust the hearing-aids at reduced power and will
gradually increase it as you adapt. Frequent adjustments are required to begin with, and
one should never hesitate to consult. It is also very useful for you to take note of your
perceptions in your various usual surroundings. Your prosthetist will then be able to
adjust your aids for the best results.

Recent hearing-aids are little computers offering vast possibilities for adjustment. They
generally include a Bluetooth liaison which enables you to receive the sound of your
mobile or your TV directly in your ears. Additional adjustments are also available,
according to the noise environment via a free application for mobiles.

Clearly, this will not return the hearing capacity of your youth, but you will again be able
to participate actively in your social life, avoid isolation.... and the birds will, once again,
let you know that spring is on the way.
On the last pages of the brochure you will find very useful and pertinent addresses.

Source : Association genevoise pour les malentendants
http://www.agdm.ch, lnfo@agdm.ch, T.+41 22 735 54 90

48 AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 78 No. 2, 2019-06