Hearing Loss True or False

• If I had a hearing problem, I’d know.
  False. Not always does one know he has a hearing loss. Hearing loss develops gradually over several years. During this time most people compensate by asking others to repeat, turning up the TV or even reading lips. This becomes a habit over time and so the hearing loss goes unnoticed.
• My type of hearing loss cannot be helped.
  False. According to the Better Hearing Institute, 95% of people with hearing loss can be helped with today’s advanced hearing aids.
• Hearing loss only affects “old people” and is merely a sign of aging.
  False. Only 35% of people with hearing loss are over the age of 64. There are close to 6 million people in the United States between the ages of 18 and 44 who have hearing loss and there are more than one million who are school age. Hearing loss affects all age groups.
• My hearing loss is normal for my age.
  False. While it’s true there can be a correlation between hearing loss and aging, no physical disorder is ever “normal”. However, many well-meaning doctors tell this to their patients everyday. It happens to be “normal” for overweight people to have high blood pressure; but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t receive treatment for the problem.
• My hearing problem isn’t bad enough to need two hearing aids.
  False. Like our vision, our hearing mechanism relies on input from both our ears to locate sound sources, focus on specific sounds and conversations. If you have a loss in both ears, two hearing aids are recommended.
• Hearing aids are too expensive.
  False. Even today’s digital hearing aids are available at an affordable price. The cost of an aid varies depending on how sophisticated the technology is and the style or size of the hearing aid. By talking with a hearing healthcare professional you can determine what is most appropriate for you within your budget.
• Hearing aids will restore my hearing to normal.
  False. Just as their name suggests, hearing aids aid the hearing that you have, whatever it might be. They can’t restore hearing, but they can restore your quality of life by bringing you back into the world of communication.
• A hearing loss just means sounds need to be louder.
  False. Not exactly. In most cases, people with hearing loss can hear people talking but have difficulty understanding what it is they are saying. Making sounds louder actually makes it harder to understand what is being said. That’s why today’s hearing aids are designed to amplify the specific frequencies you need for better understanding.

*Adapted from “Say What? Common Myths & Facts About Your Hearing,” a Starkey Labs brochure, & “Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids, A Bridge to Healing” by Richard Carmen, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology.