If you’ve heard one hearing loss myth, you’ve heard a dozen. You’ve probably heard so many hearing loss myths that it’s virtually impossible to separate the facts from the fiction. Fortunately, the hearing experts at North Shore Hearing P.C. can help.
We’ve created an easy-to-read guide designed to put certain hearing loss myths to bed once and for all. Read on for more clarity on a few top hearing loss myths and don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to schedule a free hearing screening.
Hearing Loss Myth #1: Hearing Loss Only Impacts Seniors
While hearing loss can be associated with old age, as many as 40% of Americans who have hearing loss are under the age of 60. Even more surprising, an estimated 15% of children who are between the ages of 6 and 19 suffer from hearing impairment as well.
It is true, however, that your likelihood of suffering hearing loss increases with age. To prevent this from happening, there are a number of steps you can take, starting with having regular hearing exams and complete audiological assessment at North Shore Hearing P.C.
You can also have a baseline hearing test or baseline audiogram designed to provide a reference point for future hearing tests. This vital test will act as the baseline from which all future tests will be compared. The baseline hearing test allows the team at North Shore Hearing P.C. to determine if your hearing has changed since the baseline hearing test was performed.
Hearing Loss Myth #2 Hearing Loss Only Impacts Your Hearing
Your ability to hear impacts virtually every facet of life. Research shows that untreated hearing loss can increase your chances of developing dementia as well as cognitive decline. Hearing loss can also lead to social isolation and depression.
Here’s why: the constant effort to hear and understand what is being said puts greater stress and requirements on the brain. As such, this extra allocation of mental resources increases the “cognitive load”, which takes away resources from other mental processes, such as short-term memory.
Fortunately, if you suffer from hearing loss, there are several innovative ways the team at North Shore Hearing P.C. can help preserve your hearing and protect your mental acuity. One solution we’ve been able to achieve excellent results with is hearing aids.
Our sleek and discreet hearing aids styles can prevent or even reverse the cognitive decline associated with hearing loss. In the end, hearing loss affects much more than your hearing, but the team at North Shore Hearing P.C. can help protect it all.
Hearing Loss Myth #3: Mild Hearing Loss Doesn’t Require
According to research from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, an estimated one out of every five people who would benefit from hearing aids actually use one. And contrary to popular belief, it’s important to receive proper treatment — even for mild hearing loss.
For most people, hearing loss is progressive, meaning it will continue to worsen. The whole while the extra strain on your brain can expedite cognitive decline. Instead of allowing your hearing loss to progress untreated, it’s best to see an experienced audiologist today to learn your options. More so, the longer you postpone hearing aids, the more challenging it will be for an audiologist to best treat your hearing loss.
Hearing Loss Myth #4: Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants Can Restore “Normal” Hearing
Unfortunately, one will not obtain “normal” hearing with a cochlear implant or from wearing hearing aids. Contrary to popular belief, these are not hearing solutions that are equivalent to using contact lenses to correct poor eyesight. Instead, hearing aids increase the volume while making slight improvements to clarity by raising the volume of certain frequencies.
The improvements made by cochlear implants can vary from person to person. Depending on your level of hearing loss, cochlear implants may only make you aware of environmental sounds with minimal comprehension of meaning or may provide a near-normal hearing experience. The results of cochlear implants will always depend on an array of factors, such as:
- Age of implantation
- Length of deafness
- Hearing history
- And more
Hearing Loss Myth #5: Hearing Aids Will Make Everything Sound Too Loud
Thanks to today’s advanced hearing aid technology, these devices are smarter than ever before. They’re engineered with cutting-edge solutions like advanced sound processing and noise-reduction technology.
Together, modern hearing aids include the latest and greatest solutions to ensure it’s ready for whatever listening situation you’re in. One of the most innovative advancements has been Brain Hearing Technology, which helps by
- Preserving the vital details of speech,
- Reducing the effort in listening,
- Helping you easily locate sound,
- Implementing all of your personal listening preferences into this process.
Heading out to a nightclub? Going to watch a sporting event? Or do you want to simply check out the latest Netflix series? No matter your lifestyle or level of hearing loss, North Shore Hearing P.C. can match you to the perfect solution. We can even connect you with state-of-the-art “If This Then That” (IFTTT) hearing aids that can automate how devices communicate with each other.
Contact North Shore Hearing P.C.
At North Shore Hearing P.C., we are the leading team of hearing specialists in the area. We offer a range of tailored hearing solutions designed to help you experience your world more clearly.
Contact North Shore Hearing P.C. today to learn more about how we can help.
