10 Common Misconceptions about Hearing Aids Debunked

Hearing aids are the most common treatment for mild to severe hearing loss; however, many still don’t fully understand the benefits they can offer to your quality of life. Whether it’s an assumption they’ve formed on their own or something they’ve heard about hearing aids from the past, there are numerous misconceptions surrounding this tiny technology.

As any audiologist will tell you, these misconceptions can make people skeptical about getting and using the devices. Before you make up your mind about something that could potentially change your life, consider the most common misunderstandings people have involving hearing aids.

1. They’ll Make Your Hearing Perfect

Hearing aids don’t “cure” hearing loss. While they can improve your hearing levels, it mightn’t be as perfect as it once was. There’ll still be somewhat of a difference between how your hearing used to be and how it is with a hearing aid. With the right option, however, you’ll hear better than you could think.

2. They’re Uncomfortable

Hearing aids are designed to be as comfortable as possible when they’re in your ear. An audiologist will work with you to find the right option for you and make sure it fits properly. You’ll barely notice that it’s in by the time they’re done working with you.

3. They Make You Look Old

Modern hearing aids are much more discreet than most people realize, so they shouldn’t look the way you might think. Instead, they’ll be practically invisible when you’re wearing them. They shouldn’t have any impact on how you look.

4. Hearing Loss is Natural

Hearing loss usually affects older people, but that doesn’t mean it’s something inevitable. Instead, there are ways to protect your hearing and look after it. If you spend a lot of time and effort on it, you mightn’t even end up needing a hearing aid in the first place.

5. You Can’t Exercise with Them

Older hearing aids had to be taken out when you were exercising, as they could’ve fallen out and broken. That isn’t the case with newer options, however. They’ll fit much better, and you can engage in almost any physical activity while still wearing them. You shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

6. They’re Difficult to Maintain

You don’t need to put too much time and effort into maintaining your hearing device. It should be quicker and easier than you’d think, but you’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions with this. An audiologist will go through this with you, so there’s nothing to worry about.

7. You Don’t Need to Clean Them

You’ll need to clean your hearing aids more than you’d think. Any audiologist will tell you to clean them at least once a week, and they should show you how to. A cloth or cleaning brush is recommended for this, and it should only take a few minutes.

8. They’re All the Same

Not all hearing aids are made the same, despite what you might think. There are quite a few options on the market, and you’ll have several types to choose from. Some of these can even be customized to an extent. You can choose a specific color, with some even matching your skin tone.

9. Young People Don’t Need Them

When you think of hearing aids, you might assume it’s an older person that needs them. While that can often be the case, they’re far from the only people that use them. As any audiologist will tell you, plenty of younger people need them, too. People of any age can experience hearing loss, and a hearing aid can benefit them.

10. They Don’t Look Nice

One of the more notable misconceptions about hearing devices is they can be distracting to look at and take away from your appearance. You could think you’re not going to look nice by having them in. That isn’t the case. Instead, they could look nicer than you’d think. Some are even hidden and will be practically invisible, so they shouldn’t take away from your appearance.

Hearing aids can help you more than you’d think when you’re experiencing hearing loss.

They offer more benefits than many realize, and there are far fewer drawbacks than many people believe. There’s no reason not to get them when you’re starting to experience hearing loss.

If you think you could benefit from hearing aids, talk to Flynn Associates today. You can call us at Concord: (978) 759-3540 or Wellesley: (781) 943-5040, and one of our team members will be more than happy to answer your questions and help you with your hearing aids.