John H. Boyles, M.D. James J. Howard, M.D. William E. Rogers, M.D.
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.
False. According to the Better Hearing Institute, 95% of people with hearing loss can be helped with today’s advanced hearing aids.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.