Stigmas, rumors, myths… there’s always at least one or two that surround every person, place, or thing, and hearing loss is certainly no exception. There are many preconceived ideas about the condition, such as that it only affects “old” people or that there’s nothing you can do about it.
Unfortunately, misconceptions like these can cause hearing impaired individuals to feel self-conscious and hopeless about their situation. That being said, it’s important for both those with normal hearing and hearing impairments to educate themselves about the truth of hearing loss.
To get started, we’re here to expose 7 common myths by sharing the facts.
Myth 1. My doctor hasn’t diagnosed me with hearing loss.
Fact 1. If others have suggested that you may have a hearing impairment, don’t be too quick to rule it out because your doctor hasn’t said anything. Instead, consider when your doctor last asked you to participate in a hearing test.
If you can’t remember, that’s likely because only around 1 in 10 doctors check for hearing loss during physicals. Unless you ask about it, your primary doctor will most likely not identify any changes in your hearing.
Myth 2. My hearing loss won’t affect my overall health.
Fact 2. While it can be easy to assume that your hearing health wouldn’t affect other aspects of your health, the truth is that your ability to hear can substantially impact your overall well-being.
As a primary factor in our ability to communicate, hearing loss has been found to lead to social isolation and depression. In turn, hearing impairments can also increase your chances of acquiring dementia.
The good news is that research has found that hearing aids can help reduces the chances of hearing impaired individuals acquiring these conditions.
Myth 3. Hearing loss only affects people over age 65.
Fact 3. While age is certainly a risk factor for hearing impairments, only 35% of hearing impaired individuals are 65 or older. In addition to age, there are many other factors that can cause a person to acquire hearing loss.
Other conditions that may increase one’s risk of acquiring a hearing impairment include chronic kidney disease, poor cardiovascular health, and diabetes. Genetics can also influence one’s chances and increase one’s potential for becoming hearing impaired as early as childhood.
Myth 4. Hearing loss is a normal part of aging.
Fact 4. As mentioned, age can put you at higher risk for acquiring a hearing impairment, but it doesn’t impact everyone. That being said, age-related hearing loss has the potential to begin as early as 30 and will impact most of us by the age of 80.
However, having an age-related hearing impairment doesn’t mean you have to spend your life not hearing well. There are options for improving your hearing, including hearing aids.
Myth 5. Hearing loss cannot be prevented.
Fact 5. Not all forms of hearing loss can be prevented, particularly conditions that are acquired genetically. However, some forms of hearing loss are preventable, namely noise-induced hearing loss.
This type of hearing loss results from exposure to dangerous sound levels for extended periods of time. Instead of letting loud noises damage your hearing, start taking measures to protect your hearing, such as wearing earplugs in noisy environments (e.g. concerts or construction zones).
Myth 6. I only have hearing loss in one ear.
Fact 6. In many cases, people will notice that one ear seems better than the other, and as such, they assume that the ear that seems better doesn’t have hearing loss. But in reality, if one ear seems a bit less favorable than the other, it often means you have hearing loss in both ears.
To hear your best, and prevent worsening the hearing loss in your “good ear,” it’s important to treat the hearing loss in both ears. That’s why wearing two hearing aids is so much better than wearing just one.
Myth 7. Hearing loss can’t be fixed.
Fact 7. At this point, researchers still haven’t found to a way to restore what we currently consider “permanent hearing loss.” Nevertheless, thanks to technology, we are continuing to find better ways to amplify the hearing that those with hearing impairments have left.
9 out of 10 individuals with a hearing impairment will benefit from hearing aids. That’s where we, Advanced Affordable Hearing, come in. We can send hearing aids straight to your door for a reasonable price.
If you’re ready to start your journey to improved hearing, contact us now.