Hearing loss can really effect the way you live, even when it’s mild. The way you interact with friends, coworkers, and family members can change drastically. Everyday tasks like going to the supermarket can become more difficult. But that doesn’t mean it has to be all doom and gloom. If you use a well calibrated hearing aid, it can make a huge difference.
Most people tend to think of those advantages in a really linear sort of way: Hearing aids help you hear better. And that’s not untrue. But how is the quality of life improved? Just how far do the advantages of hearing aids go?
The top ten reasons to get hearing aids
It’s sort of amazing, isn’t it, how people can so frequently put together top ten lists for anything? I bet you didn’t think you would be reading a top ten list about hearing aids when you got up this morning. Well, perhaps you did if you’ve been coping with your hearing loss for a while.
So, what are the top ten benefits associated with wearing your hearing aid? Here they are!
1. Your relationships will improve
For any relationship to be great, good communication is crucial. But communication can be difficult when you have untreated hearing loss. With hearing aids, you’ll finally hear more than little bits of conversation. You’ll be able to keep up with the conversation and get the entire story.
This also means you won’t feel excluded from the conversation, and you won’t feel resentful that the conversations continue without you. So your overall relationships, amongst your friends, co-workers, and loved ones, will improve. The connection between hearing aids and relationships is a powerful one!
2. You’ll be more independent
Shopping at the grocery store or going to a restaurant when you have neglected hearing loss can feel like an ordeal. When you can’t hear very well, communicating with cashiers and wait staff can be difficult. But with a pair of hearing aids, the entire process suddenly becomes much easier. You can navigate much more independently.
Driving will also be less hazardous. That’s because your hearing aids will increase your all-around situational awareness (more on that later). When you hear more of the world, you’ll be capable of doing more by yourself, and you’ll be able to do it with less anxiety.
3. Stronger hearing may lead to higher income
Consider this hypothetical scenario: if you’re in a meeting at work and miss a lot of what’s discussed, you may not perform your job adequately. This can result in decreased job prospects and being passed-up for promotions.
With your hearing aids securely in place and working correctly, you’ll be able to follow along with meetings, and you won’t be as tired all the time from straining to hear. By doing this you can have an opportunity to boost your income by increasing your ability to focus on work.
4. Your tinnitus symptoms will decrease
Tinnitus is that ringing or buzzing in the ear that most of us have experienced occasionally. When you have hearing loss, tinnitus can often be experienced much more powerfully (there are a number of explanations for this, sometimes the tinnitus is only relatively louder because everything else is so quiet, for example).
Many individuals observe that their tinnitus symptoms decrease when they wear a hearing aid. The louder overall external sound provided by the hearing aid may be, in some cases, just drowning out the tinnitus symptoms. But relief is relief.
5. Less chance of developing dementia
There is a solid connection between cognitive decline and hearing impairment. Your risk of developing cognitive decline can be seriously increased by neglecting hearing loss, for instance. Treating hearing loss appears to be helpful, although there are numerous theories as to why. That’s why it’s not a good idea to forget to put in your hearing aid. You could be helping your brain health!
6. Music can once again be enjoyed
It’s hard to enjoy music, in its full entirety, when you have hearing loss. That’s because one wavelength of sound normally goes before the others. Maybe you’re unable to hear low frequencies, for example. The music you used to like, as a result, may sound… different.
With your hearing aids, though, those missing holes in the music will be filled in, and you can enjoy music again! You’ll hear all of the frequencies and your music won’t sound so muffled. Hearing your favorite tune again can be extremely enjoyable.
7. Your confidence will improve
Being able to hear better and interact more completely will give you a boost of confidence. And who doesn’t like confidence?
We’re not suggesting that you shouldn’t have confidence simply because you have hearing loss. We’re simply saying that you might find yourself having a difficult time interacting with others, particularly if your hearing loss is new.
Those interactions can become easier again with hearing aids. And that can result in a boost in confidence.
8. You’ll have more vigor
Your brain is most likely working extra hard if your hearing loss is gradually advancing. That’s because your brain doesn’t realize your ears aren’t working correctly, so it’s continuously trying to fill in the audio holes that your hearing loss has produced. That’s hard work. And it means that your brain is struggling (and strained) almost constantly.
Your brain gets to refresh and unwind when you wear a hearing aid. It will have less work to accomplish. With this, continuous tiredness and weariness will be minimized. You’ll have more energy to do the things you love to do!
9. Being more conscious of your surroundings will keep you safer
You might not have adjusted to your hearing loss, especially if it’s new. You’re used to hearing oncoming traffic before you step out into the street. You’re accustomed to hearing the ambulance siren before you look in the rearview mirror.
You might presume certain situations are safe when, because you’re not aware of your hearing loss, or you’ve ignored it, they actually aren’t. That can put you in some really unsafe scenarios.
This lost awareness will be restored by using hearing aids. Your decision making will be smarter and safer.
10. You’ll be a positive example!
The one thing that can be even harder than change is personal growth. You’re acknowledging that things aren’t functioning effectively now when you invest in a hearing aid. But you’re also trying to better the situation.
That’s a good thing! We should all strive for this type of thing, right? So you’re becoming a role model and a positive example when you wear your hearing aids. You should be proud of yourself.
Have your hearing tested as soon as you can
When you use hearing aids you will hear better and that’s the primary benefit. That goes without saying. But there are plenty of benefits to using hearing aids. This top ten list is certainly not exhaustive.
You may have an entirely different top ten list. No matter what advantages you look forward to the most, the first step is making an appointment with us to have your hearing tested.
