Facts or Fiction

When it comes to hearing loss aids, it’s important to separate facts from fiction

FICTION: Hearing problems are rare.
FACT: About 10% of the world’s population has a hearing loss and 25% of adult Canadians have some hearing loss.

FICTION: Hearing loss and wearing hearing instruments are signs of old age.
FACT: Hearing loss affects people of all ages. There are, in fact, more hearing-impaired people aged 45 to 64 than in the over-65 age group.

FICTION: People with impaired hearing are “slow”, less intelligent, or even senile.
FACT: Hearing impairments are usually the result of a variety of hereditary, medical, social and environmental causes - especially exposure to noise. But there is no correlation to decreased intelligence.

The highest percentage of hearing-impaired people are aged 45 to 64.

FICTION: If I were suffering from impaired hearing, I’d know about it.
FACT: Not necessarily. Most cases of hearing loss develop gradually. Our own built-in defenses may make it difficult for us to self-diagnose, and we have ways of compensating for a hearing loss without realizing it. A simple hearing test can determine if a hearing impairment exists.

FICTION: My hearing loss is not bad enough for a hearing instrument.
FACT: Hearing losses and listening needs vary from individual to individual. Your hearing care professional can determine how much a hearing instrument will improve your hearing. Most people who get a hearing instrument, though, ask themselves why they didn’t take action much earlier.

FICTION: Hearing loss results because sounds are not loud enough to detect.
FACT: Typically, hearing loss is not equal across pitches. This means that while voices of others may seem loud enough, some high-pitched speech sounds may be too soft to hear clearly, making speech sound muffled. Modern hearing instruments are fitted to take these factors into account. They amplify incoming sounds selectively to suit each individual’s hearing loss.

FICTION: I’ve heard that my type of hearing loss can’t be helped.
FACT: More than 90% of individuals with hearing loss can be helped through amplification thanks to continuously emerging new technologies.

FICTION: Hearing instruments don’t work. I’ve tried them.
FACT: That may be because you tried one of yesterday’s products that simply don’t compare with today’s advanced digital hearing instruments. Or, perhaps your instruments didn’t fit well, making them uncomfortable and obvious to others. Major technological efforts in recent years have addressed these problems.

FICTION: Hearing loss has no significant impact on your quality of life and lifestyle.
FACT: Hearing loss can have a number of psychological effects such as depression, withdrawal and loss of self-esteem. In addition, communication problems can put a strain on relationships at home and at work.

FICTION: Hearing instruments are so clunky and unsightly that nobody wants to wear them.
FACT: The latest digital technology has made hearing instruments much smaller and more effective. Many can wear instruments that are hidden well inside the ear, or tucked behind the ear and covered by the wearer’s hair.

FICTION: Hearing instruments can damage hearing.
FACT: A properly fitted and maintained instrument will not damage your hearing. In fact, regular hearing aid use can prevent deterioration of your brain’s ability to interpret sounds.

FICTION: Hearing instruments can filter out distracting background noise.
FACT: Newer digital hearing instruments offer features such as directionality and noise reduction, which greatly reduce background noise.

FICTION: Digital hearing instruments aren’t very different from analog ones.
FACT: Digital technology provides many additional benefits and gives an optimal fit to each individual hearing loss. Digital instruments can also reduce unwanted sounds, such as background noise and feedback, while at the same time significantly enhancing the sounds we want to hear, such as speech.

FICTION: Really good hearing instruments are far too expensive.
FACT: Advanced digital hearing instruments are affordable, and well within the reach of most people. The real issue is quality of life - and what it’s worth to you.

FICTION: Hearing instruments don’t last long enough to justify the expense.
FACT: Successful users of hearing instruments typically wear them every day from the time they wake up until they go to bed at night. Moreover, with proper care, hearing instruments can last several years.

FICTION: Hearing instruments will help me in any hearing situation.
FACT: While it’s true that hearing instruments improve your overall hearing ability, they may not work for every situation. Some will do more for your hearing loss than others. It all depends on the price and features included in the hearing aid.

FICTION: It’s not necessary to get two hearing instruments; one will do just as well.
FACT: Binaural hearing (i.e. with two ears), is what helps us locate where sounds are coming from, and tell approximately how far away they are. Listening with two balanced ears also makes sounds louder and clearer than listening with only one ear. Age and noise-related hearing loss tends to affect both ears, which explains why about 75% of new purchasers choose two hearing instruments. Clinical studies report that individuals who wear two hearing aids have a higher level of satisfaction and better hearing in difficult listening situations.

FICTION: The invisible hearing instruments worn inside the ear canal are the best hearing instruments to purchase.
FACT: There are several styles of hearing instruments and all are available in “state-of-the-art” versions. What is most important is that you purchase a hearing instrument that accommodates your own individual hearing loss and your listening needs.

FICTION: Hearing tests are expensive and inconvenient.
FACT: Not so. Most medical insurance policies cover hearing tests with a physician’s referral. Testing is quick and easy.

FICTION: I can save money by buying hearing instruments on-line or by mail order.
FACT: Hearing aids need to be fitted by a hearing care practitioner after a hearing test has been completed to determine your degree of hearing loss. None of this happens when you order a hearing aid online or by mail order.