Myths and Facts about Hearing Aids

When you think of hearing aids, what comes to mind? Some may think of a large bulky contraption attached to the ear. Others think of something that costs a lot of money and yet is difficult to use and provides little benefit. But is this really the case? Let’s look at the facts.

Myth: Hearing aids are bulky and awkward, everyone will see it!

Fact: Hearing aids now are incredibly small and discreet.

There are many different options for hearing aids available. Some styles sit completely in the ear canal, others sit neatly behind the ear with a thin nearly invisible wire going into the ear canal.

To learn more about the different styles of hearing aids take a look at our Types and Styles of Hearing Aids page.

Myth: Hearing aids are too costly!

Fact: There is a hearing aid available for every budget. 

When you see us at Hearing Sense for your FREE assessment, we will discuss the different options of hearing aids available to you as well as the cost involved so that we can find something that is going to suit your lifestyle… and your wallet!

If you have private health cover, we can help you find out from your private health fund how much you are entitled to. If you are on a pension or a DVA white card for hearing or Gold Card Holder, you will be entitled to free services through the government. At Hearing Sense, we also offer interest-free payment plan options.

Myth: Hearing aids will just make things too loud! They won’t help me!

Fact: Hearing aids work not only to increase volume but clarity in the sound. 

At Hearing Sense, we strive to make sure the hearing aids are benefiting you in your day to day life. We are able to adjust the hearing aids to ensure you are hearing clearly in whatever situations are important to you. Regarding how hearing aids helped him, one of our satisfied clients had this to say:

“My hearing has improved and I am now able to participate in conversations with a much greater awareness of what everyone is saying and I no longer have to have the radio or television turned up so high that they are uncomfortable for others”

Myth: I don’t need hearing aids. My hearing is mostly fine.

Fact: When you have a hearing loss, it is easy to dismiss it as unimportant.

You learn coping methods like turning up the TV or avoiding noisy restaurants or other situations, and you may not notice the small sounds that you once took for granted. Many people notice hearing birds again once they wear hearing aids. Proper hearing aid use brings improved quality of life, including a better outlook on mood, mobility, independence, communication, and social interaction. Not only this, but leaving hearing loss untreated can cause your hearing to get worse as it is not getting enough stimulation to the auditory system you need – If you don’t use it – you lose it. Also the risks of dementia and changes in cognition have been clinically linked to untreated hearing loss.

Myth: But hearing aids will make me LOOK old — I’m not ready for that!

Fact: We live in a world where earbuds, Air Pods, and other personal listening devices are commonplace.

Most hearings aids today are small and discreet with nearly invisible tubing. And some closely resemble those common amplifiers that fit in your ear canal and can be completely invisible to someone looking at your ear! Many hearing aids are also equipped with apps that allow you to adjust the volume and settings via your smartphone as well as stream phone calls and music straight through to your ears wirelessly with Bluetooth.

Myth: Hearing aids are like eyeglasses.

Fact: Hearing and vision are both major senses that connect us to the world.

Hearing aids and eyeglasses are frequently compared as assistive devices; however, the two can hardly be compared. Eyeglasses are a mechanism to immediately assist the eye to focus and do not require vision training to wear them. Hearing aids are responsible for helping the brain perceive pitch, duration, loudness, timbre, sonic texture and spatial location of sounds. Sounds can tell us where things are, if something is moving, how far or near an object may be, and more. Sound waves travel through a medium, such as air or water, and are captured by our ears and perceived by our brain as a sound. Sound also gives us the ability to communicate and understand spoken language. With hearing aids, the brain needs time to adjust and relearn the sounds coming through the hearing device. Because of each individual’s unique ability to hear various frequencies, hearing aids need to be programmed to a patient’s hearing and may need fine-tuning by a hearing professional to offer the greatest benefit.

True Fact

Getting hearing aids can be an intimidating thought. But rest assured, the friendly team here at Hearing Sense will be with you every step of the way. We would love to see you for a FREE hearing assessment where we can answer any questions you may have, and help you find the perfect hearing solution for you!