Myths vs. Facts about Hearing Loss
There are many different myths out there about hearing aids and hearing loss. At Hearing, Balance & Speech Center, we are here to help you through all aspects of hearing loss including separating the myths from the facts.
Myth: Only a few people are really hearing impaired.
Fact: The U.S. alone has over 28 million people with reported hearing loss. That means about one in ten people have hearing loss.
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Myth: Only old people have hearing loss.
Fact: Hearing loss affects people of all ages.
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Myth: My hearing loss is untreatable.
Fact: About 95% of those who have high-frequency hearing loss (the most common type of hearing loss) can be helped with hearing aids.
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Myth: Hearing aids can restore your abnormal hearing.
Fact: Hearing aids do not restore your “abnormal” hearing. It isn’t a type of cure, but they can greatly improve your hearing and improve your quality of life.
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Myth: I would know if I had hearing loss.
Fact: Many people with hearing loss do not realize they have it because it diminishes slowly overtime and therefore, there is no sudden loss of hearing.
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Myth: If I already have hearing loss, I don’t need to protect my ears from loud noises.
Fact: Everyone needs to protect their ears from loud noises which can cause noise induced hearing loss over time or in an instant, depending on how loud the noise is.
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Myth: Mild hearing loss isn’t enough to warrant hearing aids.
Fact: Everyone’s hearing is different and the only way to know if you are experiencing hearing loss is with a hearing assessment from a hearing professional.
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Myth: One hearing aid is enough to help me hear better.
Fact: We hear with two ears and our brain. This is called binaural hearing and it helps us to localize sounds, helps filter sounds in a noisy setting, and provides natural sound quality. A hearing assessment can tell us if you need one or two hearing aids to hear your best.
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Myth: The hearing test given at the doctor’s office or school detects all types of hearing loss.
Fact: Even if you pass a simple hearing screening test done at the doctor’s office or at school, you could still have different types of hearing loss not detected by this simple. The test that is done at an audiology clinic by a audiologist is more comprehensive and can uncover different types of hearing loss.
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Myth: Hearing loss is no big deal.
Fact: There are many ways in which hearing loss can cause problems, especially socially when you can’t properly communicate with others. Untreated hearing loss can lead to withdrawal, frustration, and even depression. If you are having trouble communicating, it can lead to problems at work and problems in your personal relationships.
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Myth: Hearing aids are obvious and ugly.
Fact: New technology has improved hearing aids. They are no longer the clunky, whistling devices you might have seen years ago. Improvements in hearing aids have made them discreet and much smaller than hearing aids of the past.
Hearing, Balance & Speech is Here to Set the Record Straight About Your Hearing
If you have any questions about aural rehabilitation or hearing loss, please contact us at Hearing, Balance & Speech to schedule a hearing assessment with one of our experienced hearing care professionals today. We are here for you, to help with all aspects of your hearing health.