Can a hearing aid change your life? The short answer is yes. If you suffer from hearing loss, you don’t have to live in silence. The hearing aid has evolved, and no longer is the nuisance or bulky device it was decades ago. Recently, the FDA has even allowed some hearing aids to sell over the counter at pharmacies. Let’s explore some of the hearing aids benefits for adults that can change your life.
Reduces the symptoms of tinnitus
While there isn’t a cure for tinnitus, wearing a hearing aid device can greatly reduce the symptoms since hearing loss and tinnitus are correlated. An article by Audiologist Melissa Karp states that tinnitus can have huge effects on a person’s life, including “difficulty concentrating, emotional reactions, and disrupted sleep.” Reducing tinnitus can improve your day-to-day life.
Hearing aids benefits for adults: Boost your earnings
Did you know that hearing loss is correlated to lower wages? If you’re on the fence about getting a hearing aid, this fact might just change your mind.
Several studies have found that people with untreated hearing loss have a reduction of up to $30,000 annually compared to those without hearing loss or those with treated hearing loss. Additionally, people who experience hearing loss who do not use hearing aids are twice as likely to be unemployed as their peers who do.
Each of these is a staggering statistic and just one of the hearing aid benefits. A common misconception about hearing loss is that it only affects the elderly who have already retired. But, this statement is simply not true.
Improves overall quality of life
When hearing loss occurs, there is a strange sense of lack of independence that goes with it. But, you can gain that independence back with ocular devices.
Many times people with hearing loss begin to isolate themselves, embarrassed by their changed communication style and added stress. This isn’t a surprise; you’ve lost a sense that you relied on. There is no shame in fixing that though.
The Better Hearing Institute found that hearing aids benefits include enjoying a higher quality of life than their peers who allow their hearing loss to go untreated.
If you are someone who wants to tackle problems head-on, a hearing aid can offer a substantial solution to a big problem. Research has shown that people who are willing to use a hearing aid to help with their hearing loss are more likely than their peers to be optimistic, engaged, and positive. That is, in comparison to those who do not seek out hearing aids to remedy their hearing loss.
If hearing loss is making you feel alienated or affecting your mental health, a hearing aid can change your life for the better. You can also talk with your aging parents about their hearing loss and suggest ways to help them.
More hearing aids benefits for adults: Better relationships
Let’s face it, your friends and family might be over you asking them to repeat themselves or talk louder.
If your hearing loss has gotten to this point, it’s time to get a hearing test. And, potentially, a hearing aid.
The people who you interact with will be grateful you took the plunge to improve your communication with them. When communication breaks down too much, it can be incredibly stressful to family, coworkers, and friends, especially when the arguments escalate over misunderstood discussions or lack thereof.
If you find yourself saying, “What?” over and over again, a hearing aid can help remedy that.
Women in auditory research and science
Did you know that there is significant hearing loss research conducted by women? Between 1978 and today, there has been a dramatic shift from approximately 10% women to about 1/3 of the field made up of women scientists, researchers, and doctors today.
Dr. Judy Dubno, professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, recently contributed to the report to the FDA which urged them to allow a category of over-the-counter hearing aids available. With this, more Americans can more easily access hearing loss treatments.
Some of the most renowned discoveries in the auditory science field are due to research from women scientists including research by Ronna Hertzano, M.D., Ph.D., Tatjana Piotrowski, Ph.D., and Jennifer S. Stone, Ph.D. Each of these women seeks to find a biological cure for hearing loss.
They have discovered incredible insights about the cause of hearing loss and deafness. While there is no biological cure for hearing loss yet, here are huge benefits to hearing aids. The history of the hearing aid has come a long way from ear trumpets to what is available today.