We understand that hearing aids can be a large investment and that there are many misconceptions about them. In order to clear up these misconceptions, we would like to offer you some facts to help you understand that hearing aids are a helpful tool for improving the quality of life for hearing impaired people.
MYTH:
My type of hearing loss cannot be helped.
FACT:
The vast majority of hearing problems can be remedied, either through medical treatment or, in the case of permanent sensory loss (formerly called "nerve deafness"), from the use of hearing aids. To determine the best intervention for your particular problem, have your hearing tested by a qualified audiologist.
MYTH:
Hearing aids will restore my hearing to normal.
FACT:
Hearing aids, as the name suggests, can only aid your hearing. They cannot restore normal hearing or slow down the progression of sensory hearing loss. But they can dramatically improve your ability to hear and understand.
MYTH:
If I had a hearing problem, I'd know about it.
FACT:
Since hearing loss tends to develop slowly, you gradually adjust, not noticing that the problem is worsening. Asking your friends to repeat themselves or turning the television up becomes very natural to you. Once you start wearing your hearing aids, you will realize just how much you have been missing.
MYTH:
Hearing aids are over-priced.
FACT:
Properly fitted hearing aids will drastically improve your quality of life, making them well worth the price.
MYTH:
Bargain hearing aids work just as well as the expensive ones.
FACT:
It is strongly recommended that you consult an audiologist if you choose to purchase hearing aids. They will help you choose hearing aids that will accommodate your specific hearing loss. If you order cheap hearing aids off the Internet or through mail order, you take the chance of wasting your money on a product that won't work for you. Save yourself time, aggravation and money by seeing an audiologist. Even the best hearing aid is only as good as the person fitting it and programming it for you.
MYTH:
I'm too old to benefit from hearing aids.
FACT:
No matter what your age, hearing is one of your most important senses. Hearing connects you to the rest of the world and helps you communicate with those close to you. Hearing aids allow you to participate in your life and the lives of others. You're never too old for that!
MYTH:
A hearing loss can be fixed by making sounds louder.
FACT:
This is often not the case. For many people, sounds may be loud enough, but they still cannot understand what is being said, especially in a noisy environment like a restaurant. If a hearing aid only made sounds louder, it would be just as difficult for the person to understand speech sounds because the noise would be equally amplified. This is why it is important to have good hearing aids that amplify only the specific frequencies that you need for better understanding.
MYTH:
People will think less of me when they see my hearing aids.
FACT:
Your hearing problem is more obvious than your hearing aids. People who don't get help for their hearing loss tend to retreat from social events because they are embarassed that they can't keep up with the conversation. The most noticeable result of wearing properly fitted hearing aids is regaining the ability to interact with others. Wearing hearing aids shows your loved ones that you care about what they have to say.
