“My
hearing’s not that
bad.”
Hearing
aid users wait, on average, 10 years before getting help for hearing
loss. But during that time, communication with loved ones becomes
more difficult, and isolation and health risks increase. “Our
findings emphasized just how important it is to be proactive in
addressing any hearing declines over time,” says Lin.
“Wearing
hearing aids means I’m old, and I’m not ready for that.”
It’s
normal to feel worried that hearing loss means you’re aging—and
to want to hide it. Plenty of people with a hearing impairment sit
silently rather than joining in conversations and activities, because
they fear that hearing problems will make them seem helpless or less
than competent. The truth: Connecting with others can help your brain
stay younger and keep you involved with life.
“I
don’t like the way hearing aids look.”
Forget
the old days of big, whistling earpieces. Today’s hearing aids are
smaller and less conspicuous than ever before and are now high
functioning wearable technology
“I
heard that hearing aids are difficult to use.”
There
is a breaking-in period as you—and your central auditory system and
brain—adjust to life with hearing aids. Hearing aids are “smart”
technology and are very automated and require very little manual
operation.
“Hearing
aids cost too much.”
At
present, hearing aids can take a bite out of your budget but there
are low mid and high price points. In Alberta all seniors get $900
and low income adult (aish etc) and seniors get $2400.00 to help with
the purchase. As well they are tax deductible. Factor in the high
cost of hearing loss, however, and it is money well spent. How much
value do you put on your quality of life?
