Hearing loss is a serious condition affecting 48 million people in the US alone. While there is often no way to reverse the effects of hearing loss on your ears, hearing aids have been found to help people hear the sounds they may be missing.
Even so, an estimated 27 million of people who could benefit from using hearing aids choose not to wear them. There are a lot of stigmas and myths around hearing aids that people struggle to let go of. We will explore some common misconceptions around hearing aids along with the facts that may help you or someone you care for, make the leap towards success in using hearing aids.
Myth: Hearing aids for the elderly only
Fact: Age related hearing loss is the most common cause of hearing loss affecting 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 and half of those 75 and up. However, if you are younger than that this does not protect you from having hearing loss. In fact it is estimated that only 35% of people who have hearing loss are over the age of 64. The second most common cause of hearing loss is noise induced. As our world gets louder and louder more and more young people’s hearing is at risk of being damaged due to excess noise. It is estimated that six million people between 18 and 44 have hearing loss due to excess noise.
Myth: Hearing aids will make me too conspicuous
Fact: While you might feel self-conscious at first when getting used to your hearing aids, they will help you navigate the world around you, making it easier to socialize and work. It is important to de-stigmatize hearing aids so more and more people will feel comfortable experiencing the benefits of clear hearing. This can start with you! Even if you don’t feel like hearing aids are your fashion statement, there are many models of hearing aids out there that are small and discrete, making them almost undetectable to most people.
Myth: I can get on just fine without hearing aids
Fact: When hearing loss sets in it is often certain pitches or tones that are the first to degrade making it a struggle to piece together sentences. This forces your brain to work overtime to converse making socializing exhausting and frustrating. Many choose to self-isolate rather than subject themselves to the struggle of socializing with hearing loss. When you get your hearing test, your audiologist will be able to isolate which sounds you specifically struggle with, equalizing these with the sounds you can still hear. This can make socialization and the things you love a joy to be a part of again.
Myth: Hearing aids embarrassingly squeak and buzz
Fact: The hearing aids of 15 years ago used to speak and buzz but today’s hearing aids have become much more advanced. Hearing aids of today are mostly digital and act as mini-computers, prioritizing the sounds you need to hear and minimizing the rest. The newest hearing aids will cancel out potential feedback so feedback won’t be a problem you have to consider.
Myth: Hearing aids are too expensive
Fact: Hearing aids are an important investment in your future. Living with poor hearing can negatively affect your social life, cause depression, detract from your financial earnings, contribute to more accidents, hospitalizations and even lead to dementia. When you compare the cost to your mental and physical health, vs. the cost of hearing aids they are completely essential. Payment plans are available so you won’t have to pay all at once on your important investment.
Myth: Hearing aids are hard to get used to
Fact: It can be an adjustment when getting used to hearing aids. This period usually lasts about two weeks as your brain gets used to hearing sounds it may not have heard in quite a while. Make sure that even if using hearing aids is a challenge at first make sure to stick with them, as the benefits outweigh the initial discomfort. When you invest in hearing aids, you just aren’t investing in your ears, but your mental health, physical health and your quality of life. Join the millions of Americans who are hearing healthy despite hearing loss. Contact us to set up a hearing test and get back to hearing your best!