Deafness Warning

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31785, 16 September 1968, Page 3

Deafness Warning

Anyone who has difficulty in picking up consonants, particularly S. T. D, L, and N, should take this as an early warning sign of hearing loss, said Mrs Bernice Wells yesterday.

Mrs Wells, who is head and organising teacher for the New Zealand League for Hard of Hearing, is visiting Christchurch for Deaf Week. With the assistance of the Health Department she will conduct a free hearing-test clinic at Beath’s store from today till Friday. “Most consonants are high frequency sounds, as are th, ch, and sh combinations,” she said. “Difficulty in hear-

ing any of these may point to nerve deafness.”

Regular misunderstandings in conversation were also an indication of hearing loss. "People who complain about others mumbling may themselves be hard of hearing—although I must admit that a large percentage of New Zealanders do not speak clearly,” she said. "Anyone who turns the head to one side when listen-

ing to a speaker indicates that hearing on the other side is down.” Mrs Wells said a great deal of apparent inattentiveness among students, young office and factory workers was caused by hearing loss. “Others who seem to be withdrawn and disinterested socially may not be able to hear wtat is being said to them,” she added. Many persons in their early forties, and even younger, began to lose their hearing without realising it Deafness was not a complaint confined to the elderly. Deafness usually came gradually and the sooner it was admitted the better the chance of combating it. Nerve deafness was not yet curable by surgery, but bone deafness could usually be improved by an operation. Persons suffering from either type of deafness would benefit greatly by learning to lipread. “There seems to be a kind of stigma attached to being deaf, and many people who are aware that they do not hear well avoid social contacts rather than admit it,” she said. “Everyone will suffer some

loss of hearing sooner or later. They might as well be prepared for it as soon as hearing loss is noticed or pointed out to them, and seek help.” Not Easily Noticed Eyes and ears wore out first, she said. Failing sight was noticed quickly, when it became difficult to read newsprint or to recognise objects in the distance. These defects were counteracted by prescribed glasses. But gradual hearing loss was not as easily discerned. “Anyone who has any suspicion of deafness should take the opportunity of coming to the Deaf Week clinic for a free test,” she said.

Health Department officers will do the hearing tests and Mrs Wells will discuss the audiograms given to clients and advise them on the next steps that should be taken. Mrs Wells, who has travelled extensively, is convinced that New Zealand is ahead of other countries in its aid to the hard of hearing. Mrs Wells, who is stationed in Auckland, travels throughout New Zealand wherever her services are needed by branches of the league.