Have you been humming and hawing over whether to get your hearing checked? Or get hearing aids? Is this because you know someone who knows someone who hated their hearing aids in 1992? Or because you know someone else who knows someone who said their hearing aids never worked right?
If this sounds like you, take a look at our hearing loss and hearing aid myths below. You’ll likely be surprised. Remember, you can’t believe everything you hear, especially when it comes to your health!
Myth #1
Delaying treatment for hearing loss is not a big deal.
Fact
Recent research has linked hearing loss to several health conditions such as dementia, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes. There are also many psychological effects associated with hearing loss including depression, frustration, anxiety and withdrawal. Trouble communicating with others can create strain on relationships and a loss of self-esteem. It is far better to deal with your hearing loss than to pretend it isn’t happening or to ignore the effect it is having on those around you.
Myth #2
I was told years ago that my hearing loss isn’t treatable.
Fact
Years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for patients with severe hearing loss to be told that their hearing loss couldn’t be treated with hearing aids. While this may have been true at the time, today, modern hearing aids can treat a wide range of hearing losses. Advancements in research and technology have made incredible improvements. Don’t assume your hearing loss is untreatable until you’ve talked to a certified audiologist.
Myth #3
My family doctor will tell me if I have hearing loss.
Fact
Family doctors do not routinely screen for hearing loss. Also, since most people with hearing loss hear okay in quiet environments such as a doctor’s office, it can be almost impossible for a physician to recognize the extent of someone’s hearing impairment.
Myth #4
I need a referral from my family doctor to have my hearing checked.
Fact
You DO NOT need a referral to have your hearing checked in Canada. In Nova Scotia specifically, you can self-refer to any private practice audiology clinic in your area and for a small fee (typically under $100) have a comprehensive hearing assessment within a couple of days to weeks. If you cannot afford a hearing assessment from a private clinic, you can self-refer to the public body in your area. Wait times in the public system are longer, however the assessment will be covered by your province’s medical insurance plan.
Myth #5
Hearing loss is a normal part of aging.
Fact
Only 30% of all hearing loss is due to aging alone and approximately 50% of people with hearing loss are under the age of 65. Hearing loss can be experienced in all age groups and for a variety of reasons. Consider this, it happens to be “normal” for overweight people to have high blood pressure but that doesn’t mean they should not receive treatment for the problem.
Myth #6
I don’t hear that well in one of my ears, but the other one’s fine.
Fact
Everything is relative. Unfortunately, nearly every patient who thinks they have one “bad” ear and one “good” ear usually has “two bad ears”. When one ear is slightly better than the other, we tend to favour that “supposed” one good ear – using it more for the telephone, group conversations, and so forth. We think the better ear is normal when in fact most types of hearing loss affect both ears to some degree.
Myth #1
Hearing aids are uncomfortable and bulky.
Fact
Years ago, hearing aids were larger, bulkier and sometimes even painful. Today hearing aids are small, discreet and jam-packed with technology. Check out various hearing aids styles our clinics offer. There’s an option for everyone!
Myth #2
Hearing aids don’t really work. They just make everything too loud.
Fact
Old analog hearing aids had very limited capabilities but new digital hearing aids have endless features and can automatically increase and decrease sounds depending on the loudness level and type of sound. For example, newer hearing aids can tell if you are driving in a car, at home watching television, in a noisy restaurant, etc. and will adapt automatically for you.
Myth #3
Hearing aids will allow me to hear things perfectly.
Fact
Hearing aids will significantly improve your hearing abilities however being fit with hearing aids is not like being fit with glasses. While glasses can restore your vision to 20/20, hearing aids cannot yet* perfectly restore your hearing. The auditory system is a complex system that involves not only the ear but the brain as well. Research continues to focus on the brain’s role in hearing and listening and modern hearing aids are becoming very effective at replicating how the brain processes sound.
Myth #4
I have hearing loss in both ears but I only need one hearing aid.
Fact
Our brain uses both ears to hear similar to the way it uses both eyes to see. When the brain receives sound information from both ears at the same time, it allows us to not only HEAR better but UNDERSTAND what we are hearing better as well. This phenomenon is called Binaural Summation and it is essential for speech understanding. Hearing equally in both ears also tells us where a sound is coming from which can be important for safety when doing things like crossing a busy street.
Myth #5
Hearing aids are too expensive.
Fact
The very best hearing aids are well within the reach of most people. A certified audiologist’s role is to work with you to determine a hearing aid that best suits your hearing, lifestyle, and financial needs. Our clinics also offer payment plans to those interested and eligible. The improvement in quality of life alone will demonstrate that hearing aids are one of the wisest investments you can make.
Myth #6
Wearing hearing aids will make me look older.
Fact
An untreated hearing loss is more obvious to others than a hearing aid. Smiling and nodding your head (known as “bluffing”) when you don’t understand what is being said can make you appear older than wearing the largest hearing aid available. Moreover, it is not unusual for patients who’ve undergone cognitive testing to later find out that their issue is actually a hearing loss – because we cannot remember the things that we have not heard in the first place!
Myth#7
My family doctor will tell me if I need hearing aids.
Fact
Family doctors are not extensively trained on hearing loss rehabilitation or the ever-changing and rapid advancements in hearing aid technology. Also due to time constraints, they may not be aware of how your hearing loss is impacting your quality of life. Certified audiologists undergo several years of post-secondary education and training at Master and Doctorate levels to provide you with the most appropriate treatment options for both your degree and type of hearing loss as well as your lifestyle and finances. Trust your audiologist’s treatment plan when it comes to your hearing healthcare, and do not rest your decision on someone who is not formally trained in the field.
Myth #8
Getting fit with hearing aids is just like getting fit with glasses.
Fact
Getting fit with hearing aids, whether you are a new or an experienced user, takes time, diligence, and patience. A hearing aid fitting appointment generally takes an hour and your audiologist will likely want to see you back for two or three follow-up appointments. Once you are happy with the way your hearing aids sound and function, your audiologist will then schedule you for follow-up appointments every 6-12 months. Visit our hearing aid services page for more information.
Now that we’ve debunked the most common hearing loss and hearing aid myths, what do you think? Are you still humming and hawing? Let us help!
If you or a family member or friend have difficulty hearing or would like to learn about hearing aid options, contact one of our clinics to book an appointment with one of our certified audiologists. Hearing health is our passion and we care greatly about building genuine and lasting relationships with all of our patients and their families.
To learn more, visit our website www.sackvillehearing.ca. You can also schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our certified audiologists.
