Over the years, hearing aids have carried a stigma. If you use one, people may think of you as old. What is the outcome?
Many people of every age put themselves at risk from a number of health problems because they decide not to get hearing aids and decide to deal with hearing loss. The numbers back this up: 30 million individuals in the United States suffering from hearing loss, yet only about 15 percent of that group has ever worn a hearing aid.
Additionally, younger people are suffering from hearing loss in higher numbers than ever before: a WHO report from 2015 predicted that excessive use of headphones and overly loud concert events and festivals will cause over 1.1 billion teens and young adults to permanently injure their hearing.
However, progressing technology and changing perceptions have given hearing aids a new outlook, and soon they’ll be in the same category as eye-glasses – and contact lenses, for that matter.
If You Need Hearing Aids, You Should Wear Them, Here’s Why
There are a lots of reasons why you should wear hearing aids, some of them are unexpected and some are obvious.
Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Social activities will be more pleasant
- One of the obvious reasons is that you will be able to hear better
- You’ll give your brain a break
- Conversations will be a lot smoother
- You won’t have to turn the music or TV up
- You’ll raise your earning power
- You can reduce tinnitus symptoms
Are these reasons sounding good to you? Even someone with slight hearing loss can get some benefit from using hearing aids.
What many people don’t know is that hearing loss is linked to mental decline, mental health issues, and conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Studies point to several different reasons why this may occur, including that the brain gets overtaxed and overtired because it’s always attempting to comprehend sounds. It might be that the brain cells don’t receive enough stimulation so they shrink and die, or it might be because of the number one cause of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems which is social isolation.
By letting you hear words and sounds around you more clearly, hearing aids can help lessen these issues. Your brain won’t need to make use of additional resources and will be capable of processing sounds in a normal way, while you will start to enjoy conversations and social experiences again because you will have a boost in confidence.
Technological Advances in Hearing Aids
By now it should be apparent why people of all ages should use hearing aids if they need them. Now it’s time to discover how hearing aids have advanced in the last few years.
The cumbersome, over-the-ear hearing aids are still out there for the people who like them. They also have advanced to the point that they can figure out where sound is originating from and can filter out sound adequately. Conversely, there are new and improved versions of hearing aids that are nearly unnoticeable, yet pack quite a bit of technology to fit in with today’s digital world.
Is connecting your hearing aids up with your Bluetooth devices like your television, smartphone, or tablet something you might want to do? Then you’re in luck since most modern hearing aids come equipped with Bluetooth technology that enables them to sync to a variety of devices. There are even higher-end models that can stream music, keep track of your physical activity, and automatically take and make phone calls for you. Hearing aids today are designed to do more – just like your smartwatch and smartphone, smart hearing aids will become a must-have accessory for anybody suffering from hearing loss. Are you ready to tackle hearing loss and get yourself a hearing aid? Consult with us to find out what type of hearing aid will work best for you.