In the past, hearing aids have had a stigma. If you wear one, people may think of you as old. What is the outcome?
Countless people, both young and old, forgo hearing aids and suffer needlessly from hearing loss, which itself is linked to a number of health problems. This is backed up by the numbers: 30 million people in the US suffering from hearing loss, yet only around 15 percent of that group has ever used a hearing aid.
Additionally, younger people are suffering from hearing loss in larger numbers than they ever have: a WHO report from 2015 predicted that excessive use of headphones and overly loud concerts and festivals will cause over 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults to permanently damage their hearing.
Still, developing technology and shifting perceptions have started to frame hearing aids in a new light, and people are beginning to view them in a similar way they look at eye-glasses.
Why Should You Wear Hearing Aids
There are a ton of reasons why wearing hearing aids is a good idea, some of them are surprising and some are obvious.
Some of the most common reasons are as follows:
- You can listen to television and music at safe volumes
- Conversations will be a lot smoother
- You’re brain won’t need to work as hard
- You can reduce tinnitus symptoms
- You can enjoy social activities and situations again
- You’ll be able to earn more money
- You’re able to hear better (As noted, there were some obvious ones on this list)
Are these reasons sounding beneficial to you? Even a person with minor hearing loss can find some advantage from using hearing aids.
What many people don’t know is that hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline, mental health issues, and conditions like Alzheimers disease and dementia.
This might happen for several different reasons according to research, including that the brain becomes overtaxed and overtired because it’s always attempting to comprehend sounds. it could be that the brain cells shrink and die because they don’t receive enough stimulus, or it may be connected to social isolation, which is a leading cause of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
Hearing aids can change things for the better by letting you hear clearly and understand the words and sounds around you. Your brain won’t have to use extra resources and will be able to process sounds in a standard way, while you will begin to enjoy conversations and social experiences again because you will gain more confidence.
Technological Advances in Hearing Aids
We told you why it’s important for anyone with hearing loss, young or old, to wear hearing aids. Now it’s time to find out how hearing aids have advanced in the last few years.
If really want one of those big over the ear hearing aids, you can still purchase one. They also have progressed to the point that they can determine where sound is coming from and can filter out sound effectively. Conversely, there are new and improved versions of hearing aids that are virtually unnoticeable, yet pack quite a lot of technology to fit in with today’s digital environment.
Is connecting your hearing aids up with your Bluetooth devices including your television, phone, or tablet something you might want to do? Then you’re in luck since the majority of modern hearing aids have Bluetooth technology that enables them to sync with a range of devices. There are even higher-end models that can stream music, keep track of your physical activity, and automatically take and make phone calls for you. Smart hearing aids are becoming a must for anyone who has hearing impairment because much like your smartwatch and smartphone, they’re just created to do more. Are you ready to deal with hearing loss and buy yourself a hearing aid? Consult with us to find out what kind of hearing aid will be the right one for you.