Expert telephone forum
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, another edition of the Volksstimme telephone forum will take place. Readers will have the opportunity to ask questions on the topic of "Hearing loss, loneliness, forgetfulness – harmless or a warning sign? Ways to get help," to Prof. Dr. Martin Durisin, Director of the University Clinic for Ear, Nose, and Throat Medicine, Head and Neck Surgery Magdeburg, and his senior physician Dr. Dorothea Rostalski.
If you are concerned about the issues listed below, please do not hesitate to call us. Those interested can seek advice on February 3, 2026, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. by calling 0391-532970.
- Can untreated hearing loss be an early sign of loneliness or memory problems?
- At what point does forgetfulness associated with hearing loss cease to be a normal part of aging?
- How does hearing loss lead to social isolation and how does this affect thinking?
- How can you tell early on that hearing loss is affecting your memory?
- What should you do first if hearing loss is accompanied by concentration or memory problems?
- When should you definitely see a doctor or hearing specialist for hearing and memory problems?
Photo: Prof. Dr. Martin Durisin and Senior Physician Dr. Dorothea Rostalski. Photo: UMMD
Hearing loss refers to a reduction in hearing ability. This can range from a slight impairment to complete hearing loss. It can be temporary or permanent. People with severe hearing loss can hear individual tones or noises, or no sounds at all.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 430 million adults worldwide are affected by hearing impairment. Hearing loss is therefore a common condition. In Germany, around half of all people aged 65 and over suffer from some form of hearing loss.
There are many causes of hearing loss: on the one hand, it can occur as part of the natural aging process; on the other hand, it can result from excessive exposure, for example, at work or through intensive use of headphones, which can also lead to hearing impairment. In some cases, hearing loss is genetic, and in others, it is caused by inflammation, meaning that hearing impairment can already be detected in newborns or infants.
Hearing impairment can greatly reduce the quality of life of those affected and inhibit their participation in social life. It can also increase the risk of depression and accidents.
Hearing Center at Magdeburg University Hospital
Different hearing impairments require different treatments, from hearing aids to cochlear implants. At the Hearing Center of the University Clinic for Ear, Nose, and Throat Medicine, Head and Neck Surgery in Magdeburg, an experienced interdisciplinary team, together with the patients and their relatives, decides on the appropriate therapy.
Cochlear implants enable deaf or severely hard-of-hearing people to hear and understand speech when conventional hearing aids no longer help. They can be used regardless of age—from infants to the elderly—as well as for unilateral hearing loss.