The following statement may sound like a contradiction, but, hearing loss can be a great conversation starter. Hearing loss is a common problem that affects close to 15% of the population (over the age of 65). So, chances are some of the people you come into contact with daily have experienced some form of hearing loss. We aren’t recommending you ask the checkout worker at your local supermarket about their hearing health, but it’s often comforting to know you’re not alone when it comes to hearing loss.
If it is so common, why then is hearing loss such a taboo subject? Why isn’t hearing health discussed at more dinner parties or in the break room of offices? At Hearing Sense, we try to combat the stigma surrounding hearing loss. We want to kick-start a conversation about not only the issues and symptoms of hearing loss but also the solutions. Our job is to equip you with the knowledge and power to overcome the struggles associated with poor hearing health.
During our years of operation, we have heard every question under the sun when it comes to hearing health and hearing loss. No problem ever goes untreated in our clinics, and we aim to give our clients peace of mind when it comes to trialling and using hearing aids. Over time, we have seen a common theme when it comes to frequently asked questions about using hearing aids.
Some of the top questions we receive are “will my hearing aids make me stand out?” and, “will people be able to see my devices?”.
Cosmetic concerns are valid, and we would never dismiss any request for a discrete device. While there are many invisible hearing solutions available, most hearing aids are a lot more discrete than people think. It can feel conspicuous wearing a hearing aid, but most cannot be seen especially when your hair, even if it is short, covers it. Ask yourself, how often do you find yourself staring intently at someone’s ear? We can guess your answer is probably “never” or, (hopefully) at the most “not often”. While some people are concerned about appearance, these fears are overcome by considering what they are gaining by using hearing aids. There is no more compensating for poor hearing by asking for repeats, inappropriately responding to people (or not responding at all), or withdrawing from social situations because they are unable to interact with others regularly. Believe us; these actions are a lot more noticeable than wearing a small hearing aid.
“Improve the quality of life” is a statement often used when it comes to describing the benefits of hearing aids. So, clients often ask us “how will my hearing aids improve my quality of life?”
Hearing loss has a significant impact on a person’s social, emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. But, equal to the adverse effects on these aspects of a person’s life is the positive effects hearing aids can have. Treatment of hearing loss and hearing aids can improve:
– Communication in relationships
– Intimacy and warmth in family relationships
– Ease in communication
– Earning power
– Sense of control over your life
– Social participation
– Emotional stability
When you consider all these benefits, you can see that hearing aids do hold great potential to change your life positively.
The last (but not least) most common question we come across when a client is considering using aids for the first time is “will a hearing aid restore my hearing?”
We would love to answer this question with “yes!”, but, unfortunately, technology isn’t this advanced yet. While no hearing aid can restore your hearing to ‘normal hearing’, hearing aids are designed to let you hear soft sounds that you couldn’t hear before using the aids. Also, they cleverly prevent loud noises from becoming uncomfortable or overbearing. They allow you to focus on the essential sounds in any environment, such as speech from a loved one. They can improve your hearing in a noisy environment, but not filter out noise completely. No aid can cut out background noise entirely, but most devices are designed to reduce the background noise to a level that still allows you to hear speech. This helps you enjoy conversation and improve communication in places like restaurants, business meetings, and social gatherings. Just remember, people with perfectly normal hearing still have trouble when there is background noise, so if you see others leaning in or saying Pardon, it might also be a product of that environment you are in.
Tacking onto this last question, we should add that yes, there is an adjustment period to wearing hearing aids. You might be thinking “if I try aids, will I experience all the benefits listed above straight away”. The short answer is no, and most people need an adjustment period of two weeks to a few months before becoming acclimated to – and receiving the full benefit of – wearing their hearing aids. However, almost every user says they experience noticeable changes and improvements during the trial period. One of our favourite descriptions from a client of these primary benefits was “It was like the sun came out from behind the clouds”.
The exciting thing about this period of acclimatization is that actual brain changes are occurring whilst your auditory system makes new connections to sounds you may not have heard for years. You are providing stimulation to the tiny hair cells of your inner ear as a form of exercise which in turn also exercises your brain at the same time.
We hope this blog provided some insight into the answers to questions you may have when considering hearing aids for the first time. And remember, we are always here to help. All our staff are trained to answer any questions you may have. So, next time you’re in one of our clinics, have a chat with one of our front desk staff. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a truly extraordinary hearing experience, we recommend booking in at one of our clinics today to discuss your hearing aid options. At Hearing Sense, we are incredibly passionate about finding the right solution for you, and we offer a trial on all devices, so you can see if the hearing aids are the right fit for you and your life.
Give us a call on 8331 8047 to book a FREE consultation.
