Over the years, hearing aids have had a stigma. Some people just correlate them with old age. What is the outcome?
Countless people, both old and young, forgo hearing aids and suffer unnecessarily from hearing loss, which itself is connected to several health concerns. This is reinforced by the numbers: 30 million individuals in the United States dealing with hearing loss, yet only about 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 damage their hearing irreparably due to over the top use of headphones and extremely loud music events.
However, progressing technology and shifting attitudes 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.
Why You Should Wear Hearing Aids
There are a lots of reasons why you should wear hearing aids, some of them are surprising and some are obvious.
Some of the most common reasons are as follows:
- One of the obvious reasons would be that you will be able to hear better
- Social activities will be more enjoyable
- You won’t have as hard a time having conversations
- You’re brain won’t need to work so hard
- You’ll have the ability to earn more money
- You won’t need to crank the music or TV up
- You can reduce tinnitus symptoms
Do these seem like good reasons to you? Even someone with minor hearing loss can find some benefit from wearing hearing aids.
What many people aren’t aware of is that hearing loss is linked to mental decline, mental health issues, and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Research points to several different reasons why this might happen, this involves the overworking of the brain as it battles to comprehend sounds that it hears. it could be that the brain cells shrink and die because they don’t receive enough stimulus, or it may be due to the number one cause of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems which is social isolation.
Hearing aids can change things for the better by allowing you to hear clearly and comprehend the words and sounds around you. Your brain won’t have to make use of additional resources and will be capable of processing sounds in a standard way, while you’ll gain the confidence and ability to find enjoyment in social activities and conversations again.
Technological Developments in Hearing Aids
We told you why it’s essential for anybody with hearing loss, old or young, 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 nothing like your grandparents’ hearing aids.
The bulky, over-the-ear hearing aids are still out there for the people who want them. They also have advanced to the point that they can figure out where sound is coming from and can filter out sound adequately. Conversely, there are more modern versions of hearing aids that are almost unnoticeable, yet pack quite a bit of technology to fit in with today’s digital world.
Do you want to connect your hearing aid to your smartphone, tablet, television, or even your car’s navigation system? Most contemporary hearing aids have Bluetooth technology so you’re in luck. There are even higher-end models 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 much like your smartphone or smartwatch, they’re simply designed to do more. Are you ready to tackle hearing loss and get yourself a hearing aid? Consult with us to find out what kind of hearing aid will be the right one for you.
