Have you ever considered wearing hearing aids? They can do wonders for those with hearing loss, improving your ability to communicate in every facet of your life. In addition, they help you to be more aware of sounds around you so you can be ready for anything that comes your way. There are just so many benefits to hearing aids from decreasing your risk of cognitive decline leading to dementia to improving your earning potential in the workforce, however, for those 70 years and older, only 30 percent have ever tried hearing aids. For those 12 to 69 with some degree of hearing loss, only 16 percent have ever tried them, creating an opportunity for some of the dangerous side effects of untreated hearing loss to set in.
Part of the issue is that there are many misunderstandings around hearing aids that keep people from pursuing life enhancing treatments. We believe that education is the key. Here are some common myths about hearing aids and the truth that will set you free to a life with better hearing!
Myth: Hearing aids make you look old.
Fact: many people avoid wearing hearing aids because they fear they will make them appear old. Today hearing aids come in all sizes. This includes large behind the ear hearing aids for those with dexterity issues, to incredibly small discreet models. Some are so small they fit completely in the ear canal, so they are nearly undetectable. While these don’t always have the amplification power that those with more profound hearing loss require, they are perfect for those on the go.
Myth: Only elderly people are affected by hearing loss
Fact: Age related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis is the most common cause of hearing loss, occurring in one in three people 65 years and older as well as half of those 75 years and above. However, hearing loss can occur at any age due to many causes such as exposure to excessive levels of noise, impact to the head, chronic ear infections, certain medications, or chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular complications.
We believe that it is important to normalize using hearing aids at any age. It’s a health condition which affects people of all ages from young to old. Wearing hearing aids helps you stay alert of the world and quick to follow conversations throughout the day. Hearing aids improve your quality of life and we believe that will make you seem years younger when you are being proactive about your hearing health!
Myth: I can hear with my “good ear” just fine.
Fact: It is common when hearing loss occurs that it happens in one ear more than the other. However, it is very rare that hearing loss occurs unilaterally (in just one ear). Even if hearing loss is present in just one ear, two hearing aids are almost always required. We hear with two ears to help us locate sounds in our environment. When sounds come from the right, our brain processes this with information from the right side and the same goes for the left. We recommend two hearing aids to emulate the natural process of hearing so you can be aware of sounds around you. For those with true unilateral hearing loss we recommend CROS or BiCROS hearing aids that amplify sounds using a single microphone that picks up sound from the poorer hearing ear and sends it to the better hearing ear.
Myth: Buying hearing aids online will save you money and time
Fact: Today you can buy hearing aids online and many people choose this option to save money and time. However, going to an audiologist has serious advantages. We can test your hearing and then base your hearing aid program precisely on your degree of hearing loss.
Everyone hears just a little differently and with custom programmed hearing aids from a licensed audiologist you can ensure that you will be more likely to hear in a more natural manner. In addition, we are here to make sure your fit is comfortable and secure. We are always available for tune ups, modifications in fitting and updates to your hearing program at any time. To find out more about why prescription hearing aids may be right for you, don’t hesitate to contact us right away. We can test your hearing and help you understand anything you want to know about hearing aids! Contact us today!