Over the years, hearing aids have carried a stigma. Some people just link them with old age. What is the consequence?
Many people, both young and old, go without hearing aids and suffer needlessly from hearing loss, which itself is connected to several health concerns. The numbers back this up: 30 million individuals in the United States suffering from hearing loss, yet only about 15 percent of that population has ever worn a hearing aid.
At the same time, an increasing number of young people are coping with hearing loss: a WHO report from 2015 predicted that 1.1 billion teens and young adults would damage their hearing permanently due to over the top use of headphones and louder and louder music events.
Still, progressing technology and shifting attitudes have started to frame hearing aids in a new light, and people are starting to look at them in a similar way they view eye-glasses.
If You Require Hearing Aids, You Should Wear Them, Here’s Why
There are a lots of reasons why you should use hearing aids, some of them obvious and some of them surprising.
Several of the most common reasons are as follows:
- You can listen to music and television at safe volumes
- One of the obvious reasons would be that you will be able to hear better
- You’ll be able to earn more money
- You can appreciate social activities and situations again
- Conversations will be a lot easier
- You’re brain won’t need to work so hard
- You can decrease tinnitus symptoms
Do these seem like good reasons to you? Some benefit can be gained by wearing hearing aids even for individuals with minor hearing loss.
What many people aren’t aware of is that hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline, mental health problems, and conditions such as Alzheimers disease and dementia.
Research points to a number of different reasons why this might happen, including that the brain gets overtaxed and overtired because it’s always trying to comprehend sounds. It could be that the brain cells don’t get enough stimulation so they shrink and die, or it could be due to the leading cause of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems which is social isolation.
By allowing you to hear words and sounds around you more clearly, hearing aids can help alleviate these issues. Your brain won’t have to utilize extra resources and will be capable of processing sounds in a standard way, while you will start to enjoy conversations and social activities again because you will gain more confidence.
Technological Developments in Hearing Aids
We told you why it’s essential for anybody with hearing loss, young or old, to use hearing aids. Now we’re going to tell you about the how; as in, how hearing aid technology has advanced to the point where they’re no longer your grandparents’ hearing aids.
The bulky, over-the-ear hearing aids are still out there for the people who like them. They also have progressed to the point that they can figure out where sound is coming from and can filter out sound adequately. Conversely, there are new and improved versions of hearing aids that are nearly invisible, yet pack quite a lot of technology to fit in with today’s digital world.
Do you want to sync your hearing aid to your smartphone, tablet, tv, or even your car’s GPS? Most modern hearing aids come with Bluetooth technology so you’re in luck. There are even higher-end versions keep track of your physical health, stream music, and take calls for you. Smart hearing aids are becoming a must for anyone who has hearing impairment because like your smartwatch and smartphone, they’re simply made to do more. Are you ready to deal with hearing loss and get yourself a hearing aid? Get in touch with us to discover what kind of hearing aid will work best for you.