Although not regularly discussed, conditions that affect our hearing impact many in our community. These conditions can impact things we enjoy, our careers and our personal lives.
As part of THRIVE, an exhibition presented at Box Hill Institute in November 2021, my installation showcasing how people living with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), Deafness, Dementia, Hyperacusis, Ménière’s and Tinnitus experience everyday sounds will be presented.
Researchers and Doctors have been developing technology to help people living with these conditions improve their hearing and reduce the effects for decades. However, there are very few programs that are helping people without the outlined conditions to understand, experience and empathise how living with these conditions can affect everyday life.
This installation will create an immersive experience for the audience to come face to face with what our everyday environment might sound like to someone living with any one of these conditions.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
People with APD have a normal outer, middle and inner ear. However, they cannot process the information the same way others do.
They can have difficulty understanding speech, recognising sounds and interpreting them.
For example; you might say “Look at the cows over there” and they might hear, “Look at the clown on the chair”.
Deafness
Stage 1 (Mild Hearing Loss) – Cannot hear soft sounds that are less than 25-40dB, like a ticking clock or dripping tap.
Stage 2 (Moderate Hearing Loss) – Cannot hear sounds that are less than 40-75dB, like a doorbell or phone ringing, can have difficulty understanding normal speech.
Stage 3 (Severe Hearing Loss) – Cannot hear sounds that are less than 75-90dB, almost impossible to understand normal speech.
Stage 4 (Profound Hearing Loss) – Cannot hear sounds that are less than 90-120dB, like an airplane engine, or fire alarm.
Dementia
People with dementia can experience additional difficulties with their hearing, aside from those traditionally related to ageing. They may experience problems identifying what a sound is, or picking out one sound from another.
As a result, it can be difficult for them to process and understand what they are hearing and communicate a response. This can lead to the person becoming withdrawn, as well as feelings of anxiety, frustration, confusion and distress.
Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis is a very rare and highly debilitating hearing disorder characterised by an increased sensitivity to certain frequencies and volume ranges of sound.
Hyperacusis is often coincident with tinnitus.
Ménière’s
Ménière’s disease (MD) is a disorder of the inner ear that is characterised by episodes of feeling like the world is spinning, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and a fullness in the ear.
Typically, only one ear is affected initially; however, over time both ears can become involved.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no corresponding external sound is present. While often described as a ringing, it may also sound like a clicking, buzzing, hiss, or roaring. The sound may be soft or loud, low or high pitched, and often appears to be coming from one or both ears or from the head itself.
Demo
Luke Becker 