In the past, hearing aids have had a stigma. Some people simply correlate them with old age. What is the result?
Countless people, both old and young, go without hearing aids and suffer needlessly from hearing loss, which itself is connected to numerous health concerns. This is backed up by the numbers: 30 million people in the US suffering from hearing loss, yet only around 15 percent of that group has ever used a hearing aid.
Also, more and more young people are addressing hearing loss: a WHO report from 2015 forecasted that 1.1 billion teens and young adults would injure their hearing irreparably due to excessive use of headphones and extremely loud music festivals.
However, advancing technology and shifting attitudes have given hearing aids a new outlook, and soon they’ll be in the same class as eye-glasses – and contact lenses, for that matter.
If You Require Hearing Aids, You Should Wear Them, Here’s Why
There are a lots of reasons why wearing hearing aids is a smart idea, some of them are surprising and some are obvious.
Some of the most common reasons are as follows:
- One of the obvious factors is that you will be able to hear better
- You’ll give your brain a break
- Social activities will be more pleasant
- You won’t have to turn the music or TV up
- You’ll increase your earning power
- You can lessen tinnitus symptoms
- Conversations will be a lot easier
Do these seem like beneficial reasons to you? Even somebody with minor hearing loss can find some benefit from using hearing aids.
What many people don’t know is that hearing loss is associated with mental decline, mental health issues, and conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
This might occur for a number of different reasons according to recent studies, including that the brain gets overtaxed and overtired because it’s always trying to comprehend sounds. It might be that the brain cells don’t receive enough stimulation so they shrink and die, or it might be associated with social isolation, which is a major cause of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
By allowing you to hear words and sounds near you more clearly, hearing aids can help alleviate these issues. Your brain won’t have to use additional resources and will be capable of processing sounds in a normal way, while you’ll gain the ability and confidence to find enjoyment in social experiences and conversations again.
Technological Advances in Hearing Aids
We told you why it’s important for anybody with hearing loss, old or young, to wear hearing aids. Now it’s time to find out how hearing aids have progressed in the past few years.
The cumbersome, over-the-ear hearing aids are still available 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 have sophisticated technology which makes it straight forward for them to work with today’s digital world and are nearly unnoticeable.
Is syncing your hearing aids to your Bluetooth devices including your tv, smartphone, or tablet something you might like to do? Then you’re in luck since many modern hearing aids come equipped with Bluetooth technology that enables them to connect with a range of devices. There are even higher-end models keep track of your physical health, stream music, and take calls for you. Hearing aids nowadays are made to do more – much like your smartwatch and smartphone, smart hearing aids will become a must-have accessory for anybody suffering from hearing impairment. Are you ready to face hearing loss and get yourself a hearing aid? Get in touch with us to find out what type of hearing aid will be the right one for you.