Breaking The Stigma Around Hearing Aids
According to Healthy Hearing, 30 million people in the United States suffer from hearing loss, yet only about 15 percent of that group has ever worn a hearing aid. This is definitely true in Palm Coast and Ormond Beach. From my experience, about 1 in 10 patients who have treatable hearing loss refuse treatment.
Most of the time it is not cost, it is because hearing aids have unfair stigmas attached to them.
Below are the top five hearing aid stigmas that I see and the truth that breaks them.
They are ugly – This is by far the biggest deterrent people have when considering hearing aids. Many people think that hearing aids are bulky, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. However, this is far from the truth. For years now, hearing aid manufacturers have been able to create smaller, less visible amplification devices that sit comfortably within the ears. Although hearing aids have not become as trendy as glasses (yet!), they are also not ugly and most aren’t even noticeable!
They are expensive – Another common worry I hear from patients is the price of their hearing aids. Although hearing aids can be expensive–ranging from $2000 to more than $6000 for a pair if you don’t insurance–consider their worth. Your hearing is important! You want to hear and understand your children and communicate confidently. If cost is your biggest worry, consider pursuing payment options. We partner with a company that offers loans, allowing patients to make small monthly payments for their hearing aids.
They are easily damaged – People don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars on devices that may or may not work and that might easily break. Palm Coast Hering Center ensures that your aids are not only reliable and durable but also fit to your individual prescription. All our devices come with comprehensive warranties as well as loss and damage insurance coverage included in their price.
They aren’t worth it – Some people worry that they won’t use their hearing aids or that wearing them won’t make a difference. Both ideas must be addressed separately. First, hearing aids are so worth it! They not only amplify sound for better hearing, but they also discourage brain atrophy. Hearing loss deprives the brain of certain stimuli, causing cognitive decline. According to a 2019 study, hearing loss is associated with a significant increase in the risk of dementia, especially in patients aged 45 to 64 years. Their findings suggest that implementing early hearing protection, screenings, and the use of hearing aids may help reduce this potential risk factor for dementia. Of course, hearing aids can be a benefit to you only if you wear them every day! You decide whether to abide by the rule or not. By wearing them inconsistently, you make it more difficult for your brain to readjust to normal hearing once you again use your aids.
They make me look old – We already covered that hearing aids are smaller and less noticeable than they used to be, but we should also mention that they are also used by people of all ages. In fact, a WHO report from 2015 forecasted that 1.1 billion teens and young adults would injure their hearing permanently due to excessive use of headphones and louder and louder music festivals. Also, people with hearing loss who avoid amplification seem older because they are constantly asking others to repeat themselves or are struggling to keep up a steady conversation. I often ask my patients, what do you think makes you look older? Constantly asking others to repeat or wearing barely noticeable amplification that allows you to enjoy AND keep up with the conversation?
