All about hearing

Tinnitus is the technical term for persistent ear noises of many different kinds. These include whistling, hissing, humming or recurring clicking sounds. In most cases, only the affected person can perceive them, which makes them difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, tinnitus can be very distressing for those affected—sleep disturbances, anxiety and even depression may result.
Treatment options

In two thirds of people affected by tinnitus, there is a measurable hearing loss. The pitch of the tinnitus often corresponds to the frequency range with the greatest drop in hearing ability.

Compensating for the hearing loss and the associated perception of natural environmental sounds often causes the tinnitus tone to fade or even disappear. A recognised model for treating tinnitus is “Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)”. The aim of this model is for the tinnitus to no longer be perceived.

Among other things, so-called noisers or combination devices are used. These systems actively deliver a pleasant, barely audible noise to the affected person. With a combination device, in addition to the noise, the reduced hearing ability is also compensated.
Xino Tinnitus

The patent-pending “Tinnitus Multiflex method” can generate an individual sound bed in addition to the ear noise. The affected person can actively participate in the fitting process and significantly shape it.

In addition to the volume and timbre of the noise, it can also be determined whether a steady signal distracts from the tinnitus or whether the signal should resemble recurring ocean surf and thus promote relaxation. In addition to this core function, Xino Tinnitus supports you in all aspects of everyday communication.

In addition to classic features such as improved understanding in noisy situations, the hearing systems can be paired with numerous additional products. For example, the TV sound can be transmitted directly to the hearing aids, or you can make phone calls via the hearing systems.

There are different types of hearing aids. This allows us to offer you an individual, optimal solution.

Behind-the-ear devices (BTE): Behind the auricle, the electronics are housed in a prefabricated plastic casing. Sound is guided into the ear via a custom-made earmould. A wide range of shapes and colours is available.

Receiver-in-canal devices (RIC): Hearing aids with an external receiver are, by design, smaller and lighter than classic “BTE hearing aids”. They now account for a large proportion of fittings. The advantages are obvious: even severe hearing loss can be well treated with these discreet devices. They are significantly less noticeable and provide an open, natural wearing experience.

In-the-ear devices (ITE): Hearing aids specially adapted to the shape of your ear canal. They offer the highest wearing comfort with maximum benefit. “In-the-ear models” are used for mild to severe hearing loss and are available in a wide range of skin tones.

CIC hearing systems: These are the smallest hearing aids. A thin nylon pull cord is attached to the hearing aid to help remove it from the ear. For easier identification, the hearing aid for the right ear is coloured red and the one for the left ear blue. However, these colours are not visible when the device is in your ear.

Wireless hearing systems: Whether for TV, radio or mobile phone. With easy-to-use accessories and Bluetooth connections, your hearing systems become true all-rounders. You can understand your conversation partner comfortably with both ears, or adjust the TV sound comfortably and individually. We will be happy to advise you!

Causes in the outer ear: Earwax plugs and infections of the ear canal are among the typical problems of the outer ear. These can usually be remedied very easily. Acting quickly is important to avoid damage to hearing.

Causes in the middle ear: Inflammation, perforations of the eardrum and otosclerosis—a calcification that impairs the mobility of the ossicles—most commonly affect middle-ear function. Most disorders of the outer and middle ear can be treated with medication or surgery. If this is not possible, permanent hearing loss can, in most cases, be successfully compensated with hearing aids.

Causes in the inner ear: The majority of hearing losses affect the inner ear. The natural ageing process is the most common cause. However, severe noise exposure, taking medications that have a harmful effect on the ear, as well as head injuries can also impair hearing.

Such influences damage the delicate hair cells and impair the transmission of signals to the auditory nerves. As a rule, “inner-ear hearing loss” cannot be treated medically. However, hearing losses of this type can usually be corrected with hearing aids.

Hearing loss caused by a disorder of the outer or middle ear is called “conductive hearing loss”. Damage to the inner ear, on the other hand, is referred to as “sensorineural hearing loss”. If both types are present at the same time, this is called “mixed hearing loss”. An accurate diagnosis of the cause of your hearing loss is the responsibility of your ENT specialist.

Hearing aids provide what the brain needs. Recognising and understanding speech is improved, speech and sound details are brought back into focus, and warning signals can be perceived better again.

This reduces listening effort and fatigue, and fewer mental resources are required. With hearing aids in both ears, “spatial hearing” and “directional hearing” are improved!

Studies show that people who actively do something about their hearing loss experience significant improvements in many areas of their lives.

83% of hearing aid users say: “Since I started wearing hearing aids, my quality of life has improved significantly.”
78% of hearing aid users are enjoying shared activities with friends again since they started wearing hearing aids.
71% of hearing aid users say: “With my hearing aids, I feel significantly safer.”

(Source: “Hearing is Life”)

Children are not small adults and have different physiology, which is why there are specialists who are the right contacts in the field of childhood hearing disorders. As soon as the diagnosis has been made, affected parents can contact the Roman Wagner Hearing Centres. Hearing aids for children are specially tailored to their needs and are available in many colour variants.

Child development: To be able to say clearly whether a child has hearing loss, many factors must be taken into account. One thing is certain: the earlier childhood hearing loss is detected, the easier it is to counteract it. Good hearing is a prerequisite for healthy cognitive and language development and is therefore crucial for your child’s entire later life.

The company “Roman Wagner” offers hearing centres at various locations for paediatric fittings from the age of 3, staffed by trained specialists.

Paediatric hearing aid fitting:

Referral from a clinic or ENT specialist to the hearing care professional
Consultation and hearing assessment by paediatric audiologists or master hearing care professionals
Selection of suitable hearing aids based on the latest technology
Intensive trial period with various hearing systems (observation by parents, kindergarten, school, early intervention, speech therapists, ENT specialist, etc.)
Fine-tuning or changing the hearing system
Final check by the paediatric audiologist and the clinic or ENT specialist
Billing to the health insurance provider
Check-up appointment every 3 months

People with hearing loss have to make an effort to hear and understand. Over time, this is very tiring. Many affected people therefore increasingly withdraw from social life. Quiet sounds are more often not perceived. In conversations, more and more is missed, especially against a loud background noise.

The TV or radio is turned up louder, other people are asked to repeat themselves or to speak louder. Hearing loss also creates difficulties for the people around you. Conversations and shared activities become very tiring not only for you, but also for those around you.