10 Common Misconceptions About Hearing Aids: Debunked

When you’re diagnosed with hearing loss, the number one treatment most likely to be recommended by your audiologist is the use of a hearing aid. These little devices can be life-changing, but you might have heard some information about them before that isn’t quite right. Here, we’re going to look at ten of the most common misconceptions you might have heard about hearing aids, and why they might not be all that correct.

1. Only Older People Use Hearing Aids

While it is true that the majority of hearing aid users are older adults, anyone can experience hearing loss at any age, be it due to exposure to excessive noise levels, trauma to the ear or even the use of some medication.

2. Hearing Aids Are Clunky and Impractical

There are larger hearing aids, such as behind-the-ear (BTE) devices, but there are also smaller and more compact devices, like in-the-canal (ITC) devices. However, even the larger ones are designed to fit comfortably on the ear. Your audiologist will make sure that the hearing aid you choose will fit comfortably.

3. Hearing Aids Can Make Your Hearing Normal

Hearing aids do not cure hearing loss they amplify sounds you had trouble hearing. It’s important to have realistic expectations for your hearing aids, but it is also worth noting that they do offer significant and real benefits to your ability to communicate and listen. The quality-of-life differences are worth taking the step.

4. The Only Difference Between Hearing Aids is the Price

Hearing aids span a broad spectrum of features and functionalities, highlighting significant distinctions among various types. Some are suited for specific degrees of hearing loss, for instance and all of them come with different features, such as directional microphones, noise cancellation, Bluetooth connectivity and tinnitus masking. An audiologist can help you choose the best fit for your needs.

5. Hearing Aids Are Bad for Residual Hearing

Hearing aids are designed to help improve and protect your hearing based on the type of hearing loss that you experience. Providing that you choose your device with the help of an audiologist who can ensure they are fitted properly and well-maintained, your hearing should not decline any further.

6. You Don’t Need Hearing Aids if Your Hearing Loss is Mild

Not only are there hearing aids specifically designed to help with mild hearing loss, but they also protect your hearing from getting declining over time. Hearing aids are to help with all the levels of hearing loss. Your audiologist will help you choose one that’s right for you based on the severity.

7. Your Hearing Loss is too Severe for Hearing Aids

While some cases of hearing loss are more severe than other that cochlear implants may be a more effective solution, but with talking to your audiologist you can form a treatment plan. The vast majority of people who experience hearing loss, from mild to severe and up to profound, can get a lot of benefits from wearing a hearing aid. The best way to find out whether or not hearing aids will help you is to talk to your audiologist.

8. One Hearing Aid is All You Need

Our ears don’t just pick up audio from one sound, spatial hearing picks up noises from all over. Spatial hearing can be affected by hearing loss and restored by hearing aids. However, if you’re only wearing hearing aids in one ear while having hearing loss in both of them, this can strain the ear not wearing the device, leading to further hearing loss.

9. Hearing Aids Make Everything Too Loud

It is true that wearing a hearing aid can take a little time to acclimate to, as you can suddenly find yourself hearing sounds you would have never picked up before. You will be able to adjust your hearing aids to the noise level, your audiologist will show you how to adjust your settings.

10. A Hearing Aid Didn’t Help a Friend or Family Member, So They Won’t Help You

Hearing loss is a unique experience, and it affects our ability to listen and communicate in different ways from person to person. There could be different factors behind whether or not hearing aids work best for an individual, so you shouldn’t make any assumptions based on the experiences of a family member or friend. There’s a good chance you’ll be wearing completely different type of hearing aids, after all.

If you want to learn more about hearing aids and how they can affect your quality of life, then talk with your audiologist. Get in touch with Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services at 623-583-1737 today to find out more information about hearing aids.