When facing the reality of hearing loss or considering the where to begin in becoming a hearing aid wearer, there can be a lot (too much?) information out there – and a number of long-held misconceptions that can make it difficult to sort fact from fiction. Here are several prevalent untruths that we’d like help you to get right:
Myth #1: “My hearing’s not that bad, so I don’t really need a hearing aid.”
Fact: Most hearing loss occurs gradually, not suddenly. While individuals may feel they can cope with partial hearing loss for a time, optimal hearing encompasses the entire sound spectrum. Thus, early adoption of a hearing aid to restore full auditory function is beneficial.
Myth #2: Getting a hearing aid is similar to getting glasses.
Fact: Unlike addressing vision challenges with glasses, adapting to a hearing aid involves more complexity. Hearing deficiencies vary widely among individuals, necessitating fine-tuning and auditory training with modern computer-based models to optimize results.
Myth #3: Hearing aids make you look old.
Fact: It’s not about the tech. It’s about your energy. When you are spending too much attention on trying to capture all of the speech information that you are missing due to your hearing loss, you end feeling drained and irritated. Constantly asking people to repeat themselves doesn’t do much for your youthful appearance. And overusing your visual perception to the fill gaps in your hearing abilities can make you more forgetful, indecisive, and moody. Adopting hearing solution, like a hearing aid can make you feel years younger and help others to perceive you as more “plugged in” than ever! With various styles and even discreet options available, finding one that suits your preferences is easy.
Myth #4: Only elderly people are affected by hearing loss.
Fact: Hearing loss can affect individuals of all ages, with statistics showing that a significant portion of those affected are under the age of 65. Regardless of age, hearing loss can have a profound impact on communication.
Myth #5: Wearing one hearing aid is enough.
Fact: Binaural (two-eared) hearing aids provide superior hearing results by aiding in sound localization and enhancing communication in noisy environments. Most people benefit from using two hearing aids rather than just one.
Myth #6: Buying hearing aids online will save you money and time.
Fact: Hearing aids serve a medical purpose, requiring professional evaluation, fitting, and ongoing support. Consulting a licensed hearing care professional ensures appropriate selection and comprehensive care.
Myth #7: Hearing aids can cure hearing loss.
Fact: Hearing aids improve hearing and listening abilities, enhancing communication and quality of life, but they do not cure hearing loss.
Myth #8: My family doctor would have mentioned something if I had hearing loss.
Fact: Routine physical exams often overlook hearing loss, highlighting the importance of consulting audiologists trained to detect and treat hearing issues.
With too much information available online, discerning truth from falsehood can be challenging. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact one of our offices for assistance.