Over the years, hearing aids have had a stigma. If you wear one, people may think of you as aging. What is the outcome?
Lots of people of all ages put themselves in danger of a number of health problems because they decide not to get hearing aids and decide to deal with hearing loss. The numbers back this up: 30 million people in the US dealing with hearing loss, yet only around 15 percent of that group has ever worn a hearing aid.
Additionally, younger people are suffering from hearing loss in higher numbers than they ever have: a WHO report from 2015 forecasted that excessive use of headphones and overly loud music shows and festivals will cause over 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults to permanently injure their hearing.
However, developing technology and shifting attitudes have given hearing aids a new outlook, and soon they’ll be in the same class as eye-glasses – and contact lenses, for that matter.
Why You Should Wear Hearing Aids
There are a lots of reasons why wearing hearing aids is a smart idea, some of them are unexpected and some are obvious.
Here are some of the most common reasons:
- You can listen to television and music at safe volumes
- You’ll boost your earning power
- Conversations will be a lot smoother
- You’re brain won’t need to work as hard
- One of the obvious reasons would be that you can hear better
- You can decrease tinnitus symptoms
- You can enjoy social activities and settings again
Do these sound like beneficial reasons to you? Even someone with mild hearing loss can find some benefit from wearing hearing aids.
What many people aren’t aware of is that hearing loss is linked to mental decline, mental health issues, and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Research points to a number of different reasons why this might happen, including that the brain becomes overtaxed and overtired because it’s always attempting to comprehend sounds. It might be that the brain cells don’t get enough activation so they shrink and die, or it could be linked to social isolation, which is a leading cause of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Hearing aids can change things for the better by allowing you to hear clearly and understand the words and sounds around you. Your brain won’t have to make use of extra resources and will be capable of processing sounds in a normal way, while you will begin to enjoy conversations and social activities again because you will gain more confidence.
Hearing Aids Have Advanced in Sophistication
By now it should be obvious why people of all ages need to wear hearing aids if they need them. Now it’s time to discover how hearing aids have advanced in the last few years.
The bulky, over-the-ear hearing aids are still available for the people who like them. They also have advanced to the point that they can identify where sound is originating from and can filter out sound effectively. Conversely, there are new and improved versions of hearing aids that are nearly invisible, yet contain quite a bit of technology to fit in with today’s digital environment.
Do you want to sync your hearing aid to your cellphone, tablet, television, or even your car’s GPS? Then you’re in luck since many modern hearing aids have Bluetooth technology that permits them to sync with a variety of devices. There are even higher-end versions keep track of your physical health, take calls for you, stream music. Smart hearing aids are becoming a must for anybody who has hearing loss because much like your smartwatch and smartphone, they’re just made to do more. So now that you’re ready to deal with your hearing loss and begin using a hearing aid, consult with us for an appointment and hearing assessment.
