Hearing loss is common, but despite this, only about 20% of people who could benefit from treatment actually wear hearing aids. And those who do wait and average of nine years from when they first have trouble hearing. The reason for this is there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about hearing loss and hearing aids. We dispel some of these myths below.
Myth: Hearing Aids Are Only for Old People
While it’s true that the older you are, the more likely you are to experience hearing loss, anybody at any age could have hearing loss and benefit from hearing aids. In fact, an estimated two to three of every 1,000 babies and one in five teens in the U.S. has some degree of hearing loss.
Myth: My Hearing Loss Isn’t Bad Enough to Need a Hearing Aid
In truth, even people with mild hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. Many people with mild hearing loss claim they can hear, but not understand, what people are saying. This is because, in most cases, it’s high-frequency sounds like consonants that go missing first. Wearing hearing aids can make it easier to detect these subtle speech sounds and discern what people are saying.
Myth: Hearing Aids Are the “Cure” for Hearing Loss
In many cases, there is no cure for hearing loss. Hearing aids are just as they sound: technological devices that aid you to be able to hear. Hearing aids work by amplifying sounds to a level the ears can detect.
Myth: Wearing Hearing Aids Is Like Putting on Glasses
When you put on your first pair of glasses after years of having trouble seeing, you can see perfectly right away in many cases. With hearing aids, it takes your brain time to re-learn how to process certain sounds. Many people are overwhelmed when they put on their first pair of hearing aids; just ask any friends you have at Westmont Senior Center who wear hearing aids. It’s important to know this so that you have realistic expectations and can commit to the hearing rehabilitation process.
Myth: Hearing Loss Is Just a Nuisance
Hearing loss can be frustrating, but it can also have major impacts on your health. Studies have uncovered links between untreated hearing loss and depression, anxiety, falls and even dementia. Fortunately, studies have also found that seeking treatment can delay a diagnosis of these conditions.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Carolina Ear Nose & Throat – Sinus and Allergy Center today.