Without doubt it’s a tough decision, and one that we are rarely happy to make. A little bit like we are all generally happy to see the fire service at our door, but never the police! Yes, to acknowledge you have hearing health issues AND that you need a hearing aid is tough. So, let’s focus on the positives. Here are ten benefits of wearing a hearing aid – but when we think about it, there are loads more!
- Hearing! The most obvious is the ability to help you hear every day, the ‘mundane’ sounds that others take for granted, such as the doorbell, car alarm and phone ringing. However, there are the more subtle sounds we may be missing, such as the joy of baby giggles, ever changing birdsong, waves on the seashore and even leaves in the trees. When we work with new hearing aid users, these latter sounds are the ones that bring them the most life enhancements.
- Confidence. We have rightly put this as our second favourite because, once again, first time hearing aid wearers tell us almost immediately of how their confidence soars. Bearing in mind that we tend to turn to audiologists for help at a time in our lives when we may be starting to feel a little left out, or left behind, the boost provided by one of our devices is immense.
- Eliminates the feelings of isolation. This is actually a double issue if left unaddressed in as much as family and friends may unwittingly include you in conversation less because they know you can’t hear, also, you as the person with hearing loss may choose to extract yourself from social situations, so as “…not to be a burden…”. As we said, without intervention this can create a very damaging downward spiral, impacting not only on mental wellbeing, but also neurological degeneration. Considering these two factors, what a simple solution a hearing aid is!
- Reducing the risk of falls. I’m not entirely sure when we evolve from merely ‘falling’ to “…had a fall…” but there is no doubt this is the case. You will no doubt be aware that hearing and balance are intricately intertwined, so naturally, a reduction in hearing health can impact on our balance, and, ergo, the possibility of falling.
- The joy of music! Whether you’re a fan of Taylor Swift, The Beatles or Vivaldi, it is a clinically proven fact that music enhances life. In fact, in a recent study, crime on public transport was reduced by the playing of classical music, but I digress! We have grown up with music punctuating our lives, triggering memories of great films and dances we (literally!) had a ball at. Why miss out on such revelry?
- Neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia have clear and unarguable links to hearing health. This is because of functional decline in our brains once we abandon the use of some parts of it. The impact of not stimulating this sense is enormous owing to it’s ability to cause anxiety and depression, as well as the withdrawal we spoke about. This in turn can contribute directly to cognitive decline. Once you think about this, you know it makes sense.
- Better relationships. We may all have heard the old “…selective hearing…” mantra in families, and laughed with our loved ones at the joke, however, perhaps there is a serious relationship focused side to having a hearing aid improve your ability to hear. Surely you will be more receptive, reactive, involved, active and valued if you are able to contribute more fully to social and family situations. As most relationships that falter, do so because of poor communication, what a boost this would be.
- More exercise. Studies have shown that hearing aid wearers – owing to increased confidence and sensory awareness – are more likely to leave the house and exercise. Of course, the further benefit is that once you are on the golf course, in your Zumba class, or at the gym, you will be able to hear what is going on, and thereby benefit far more from the experience!
- Less chance of heart attack or stroke. Did you know that low frequency hearing loss may be a marker for an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, and even that men with untreated hearing loss were 33% more likely to have a stroke or heart attack than men without hearing issues. Wearing a hearing aid lowered the risk of these cardiovascular events related most probably to their ability to get outside and exercise.
- Be aware of danger. Take a moment to think of how many audiological sounds alert us to danger. The honking of a car horn, a fire alarm, intruder alarm, loved one calling for help, or even a personal attack in the street. Wearing a hearing aid can reduce your vulnerability in a huge variety of these situations.
In summary.
Look at all these benefits! What a simple solution a hearing aid most certainly is! Of course it’s a ‘grudge’ buy, but, when you look at our range, and see how discreet – even invisible – hearing aids now are, surely, it’s worth having a serious think about. This is your precious life, don’t miss a minute of it. Hearing intervention is painless, and life changing.
