Even when it’s somewhat mild, hearing loss can have a big impact on your life. The way you communicate with friends, coworkers, and family members can change significantly. Everyday activities like going to the supermarket can become more difficult. But it doesn’t need to have this kind of negative affect on you. On the contrary, a well adjusted set of hearing aids can make a big difference.
Most individuals usually think of those benefits in a very linear sort of way: Hearing aids help you hear better. And that’s true. But how is the quality of life enhanced? Just how far do the advantages of hearing aids go?
Hearing aid’s top ten benefits
It’s sort of fascinating, isn’t it, how we can so often put together top ten lists for everything? When you got up today, did you think you’d be reading a top ten list about hearing aids? I mean, if you’ve been aware of your hearing loss for a while… perhaps you did!
So, what are the top ten advantages linked to using your hearing aid? Here they are!
1. Your relationships will improve
Great communication is critical to any great relationship. But when you have neglected hearing loss, communication can be a real challenge. With hearing aids, you’ll finally hear more than little snippets of conversation. You’ll be able to keep up with the conversation and get the entire story.
This also means you won’t feel excluded from the conversation, and you won’t feel resentful that the conversations carry on without you. So you will have an improvement in your relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers. The connection between hearing aids and relationships is a powerful one!
2. You’ll have greater independence
When you’re dealing with neglected hearing loss, activities such as shopping or dining out can be a real ordeal. When you’re unable to hear very well, communicating with cashiers and wait staff can be challenging. But the whole process becomes easier when you have hearing aids. You’ll have a lot more independence when you navigate the world around you.
You’ll also be better able to drive safely. That’s because your hearing aids will increase your total situational awareness (more on that later). When you hear more of the world, you’ll be able to do more by yourself, and you’ll be able to do it with less anxiety.
3. You might make more money
Consider this hypothetical scenario: if you’re missing large portions of what’s being discussed during meetings at work, your job performance will be affected negatively. This can lead to decreased job prospects and being passed-up for promotions.
With your hearing aids firmly in place and working properly, you’ll be able to follow along with meetings, and you won’t be as tired all the time from struggling to hear. This can improve your focus on work and put you in a stronger position to increase your income.
4. You’ll have decreased tinnitus symptoms
Tinnitus is that buzzing or ringing in the ear that the majority of us have experienced now and then. Tinnitus symptoms will frequently be more intense and frequent with hearing loss (there are a host of reasons for this, sometimes the tinnitus is only relatively noisier because everything else is so quiet, for example).
With a hearing aid, many individuals observe that they experience decreased tinnitus symptoms. The louder overall external sound supplied by the hearing aid may be, in some situations, just drowning out the tinnitus symptoms. But relief is relief.
5. Lower risk of mental decline
Hearing impairment and cognitive decline are definitely linked. Your chance of developing dementia can be significantly increased by neglecting hearing loss, for instance. Treating hearing loss seems to be helpful, though there are many theories as to why. That’s why it isn’t a good idea to forget to put in your hearing aid. You could be helping your brain health!
6. You can appreciate music again
It’s hard to appreciate music, in its whole entirety, when you suffer from hearing impairment. That’s because hearing loss tends to effect one frequency of sound first, then another. For example, you might be unable to hear low frequencies. Because of this, the song you used to enjoy may just sound… strange.
You will be able to appreciate music again with your hearing aids filling in the missing sound. You’ll hear all of the wavelengths and your music won’t sound so garbled. Hearing your favorite band again can be extremely enjoyable.
7. You’ll get an increase in confidence
Your confidence will be enhanced when you can hear better and have more effective interactions. And who doesn’t want confidence?
This is not to say that hearing loss should rob you of your confidence. We’re simply saying that you might find yourself having a difficult time interacting with others, particularly if your hearing loss is new.
Those interactions can become easier again with hearing aids. And when that takes place, confidence will improve.
8. You’ll have more energy
If your hearing loss has been gradually progressing, your brain has most likely been working harder. That’s because your brain doesn’t know your ears aren’t working correctly, so it’s continuously attempting to fill in the audio gaps that your hearing loss has produced. That’s… a lot of work! And it means that your brain is struggling (and strained) almost continuously.
When you get a hearing aid, you’re giving your brain an opportunity to relax and refresh. It won’t have to work so hard. With this, persistent exhaustion and fatigue will be lessened. You’ll enjoy doing the things that are exciting for you with this increased energy.
9. You’ll be safer and more perceptive of your surroundings
If your hearing loss is recent, you may not yet have entirely adapted. You’re used to being able to hear traffic before you step out into the street. You’re accustomed to hearing the ambulance siren before you check the rearview mirror.
You may assume certain situations are safe when, because you’re not aware of your hearing loss, or you’ve disregarded it, they really aren’t. That can put you in some very dangerous scenarios.
Hearing aids will help regain that lost awareness. Your decision making will be wiser and less hazardous.
10. You’ll be a positive example!
The one thing that can be even more difficult than change is personal growth. You’re acknowledging that things aren’t functioning effectively now when you get a hearing aid. But you’re bettering yourself too.
That’s a positive thing! It’s the sort of thing we should all work for! So you’re becoming a role model and a positive example when you wear your hearing aids. You should be proud of yourself.
Schedule a hearing assessment right away
The main advantage of hearing aids is that you get to experience hearing better. That goes without saying. But as you can tell, there are lots of immediate advantages of hearing aids! This top ten list is in no way exhaustive.
Your top ten list might look a little different. Scheduling an appointment with us for a hearing exam is the first step no matter what advantages you look forward to.
