By Penelope Woods, MAudSt, MAudA (CCP), BMus, a Masters Qualified Independent Audiologist and Hearing Health Advocate serving the Redlands Community.
As we age, it’s common to experience some degree of hearing loss, making every day listening more challenging. Many people find it increasingly difficult to follow conversations in noisy environments, which can be exhausting. This isn’t just frustrating; it also increases the mental effort needed to process information. This added effort, known as listening effort, can take a toll on brain health, leading to fatigue, stress, and even a decline in cognitive function over time.
Oticon, a hearing aid manufacturer with a regional headquarters in Brisbane, has studied listening effort extensively. Its research shows that when people with hearing loss struggle to hear, it places extra demands on both the brain and body. This heightened effort can be observed in physical responses such as increased pupil dilation and elevated heart rates, indicating the brain’s attempt to compensate for hearing difficulty. Over time, these strains can lead to mental fatigue and avoidance of places where our hearing may be challenged. We therefore need to reduce listening effort to help the brain make sense of sound and support successful communication.
The technology in the Oticon Intent hearing aid tackles the problem in a remarkable way. At levels 1 and 2, Oticon Intent uses 4D Sensor technology, which gathers detailed information about the user’s environment, their listening behaviour and context. It captures a full 360-degree sound scene, adapting sound processing based on changes in noise levels and directions. This allows the hearing aid to respond in a way which is more natural and intelligent.
It also detects head and body movements using an accelerometer, like the technology in your mobile phone, to understand how the user is engaging with their surroundings and adjust its settings accordingly.
For instance, in one-on-one conversations, people typically keep their heads still, while in group settings, they often move their heads more as they look between speakers. The hearing aid can also differentiate between someone walking and standing still, adapting its settings to enhance awareness of environmental sounds. This advanced functionality ensures the hearing aid provides a truly personalised and optimised listening experience.
It’s incredible just how far we’ve come with hearing rehabilitation.
Today’s combination of technologies allows best-practice audiologists to create a personalised and adaptive listening experience.
If you’ve noticed listening has become more tiring, or social situations feel more stressful, it might be time to consider the advice of an independent professional.
Contact A Better Ear for an impartial consultation. Discuss your unique needs and feel the difference of working with a locally owned Redlands hearing clinic.
