What’s the point of using hearing aids? Because you want to enhance your ability to hear, right? Well, sure, for most people that will be the answer. Helping your hearing is what a hearing aid is made to do.
But that’s not the real reason we wear them. How about staying connected to people in our lives…so not only can we hear discussions, but be a part of them. Our favorite music, the punchline of a joke or the key lines an important show are all things which hearing aids help us enjoy.
In other words, there are a variety of benefits, under-appreciated benefits, that come with wearing your hearing aids. And those less acknowledged advantages might be the difference between wearing your hearing aids every day or keeping them hidden away in a drawer somewhere. Without doubt, these five under-appreciated benefits of hearing aids have earned their time in the spotlight.
Clearer Sound
Your hearing aids don’t only make things louder. They also make the sound clearer. The reason for this is that your hearing doesn’t decline evenly: you may lose certain frequencies in one ear before you lose those same frequencies in the other. So the sounds all-around you will be easier to perceive and clearer.
In addition, contemporary hearing aids have all sorts of settings that can be adjusted (or that can self-adjust) depending on the room you’re in, the audio characteristics of that room, etc. So that you are able to hear more clearly, hearing aids selectively increase the volume of particular frequencies and leave others alone.
Social Life That is More Dynamic And Enriching
If the sounds around you are less difficult to understand, you’re more inclined to engage in social activity and that’s a real improvement. Consider it this way: when you’re not able to follow the discussion at a crowded (and noisy) restaurant, you’re not as likely to jump in with a joke. But when your hearing aids are doing the heavy lifting for your ears and all the voices are nice and crisp, you’ll know that exact moment to come in with your humorous repartee.
When you can hear cleanly, clearly, and don’t have to ask anyone to repeat themselves, social interaction becomes less of a chore; instead, interacting socially goes back to being something you can enjoy again.
Being Able to Concentrate Better
When you’re struggling to hear, a large part of your brain is committed to one job: making sense of the mess. Your total concentration is diminished when that much mental energy is being put towards interpreting jumbled up and partial audio. Whether you’re are listening to TV, reading the news, or prepping your taxes, your attentiveness will be much better if you are wearing hearing aids that are functioning correctly.
You Will be Safer
Research shows that individuals with untreated loss of hearing have a higher chance of falling. There are two ways that hearing aids can help protect you against a fall. Preventing falls in the first place is the first one. When you’re able to focus better (and, hence, you’re less mentally exhausted), it’s less difficult to move your feet around without tripping on something. Second is when a person experiences a fall, the automated technology in the hearing aid activates. If a fall happens, emergency services, friends, or even family can be called automatically.
Better Cognition
When you use hearing aids, it’s not just your concentration that gets better. Your mental health gets better, too. When you start to isolate yourself because you have a tough time hearing, a complex process of brain deterioration begins to take place. Your self esteem, mood, and general mental health will be considerably improved by using a hearing aid.
Why Not Get Results Sooner Rather Than Later?
waiting has no real benefit if you’ve already noticed a decline in hearing. Hearing aids can offer both immediate and long term advantages. So schedule a hearing exam today with a hearing care specialist.