Hearing loss can seriously effect how you live, even when it’s minor. There will be a dramatic change in the way you connect with loved ones, friends, and coworkers. Everyday activities like going to the supermarket can grow more challenging. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be all doom and gloom. If you utilize a well calibrated hearing aid, it can make a huge difference.
Most individuals normally think of those benefits in a very linear sort of way: Hearing aids help you hear better. And that’s true. But how is the quality of life enhanced? What further benefits will hearing aids deliver?
The top ten reasons to invest in hearing aids
We people just love creating top ten lists. I bet you didn’t think you would be reading a top ten list about hearing aids when you woke 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
Great communication is crucial to any great relationship. But when you have untreated hearing loss, communication can be a real challenge. But when you wear hearing aids, you’ll be capable of hearing the entire conversation without losing anything. You’ll be able to keep up with the conversation and get the whole story.
You won’t be resentful and feel left out of conversations. So your general relationships, amongst your friends, co-workers, and family members, will improve. The link between hearing aids and relationships is a powerful one!
2. You’ll be more independent
When you’re dealing with untreated hearing loss, tasks like shopping or eating out can be a real ordeal. When you’re unable to hear very well, communicating with wait staff or cashiers can be tricky. But the whole process becomes easier when you have hearing aids. You’ll have much more independence when you move around the world around you.
Driving will also be less hazardous. That’s because your hearing aids will enhance your overall situational awareness (more on that later). When you hear more of the world, you’ll be able to do more on your own, and you’ll be able to do it without as much anxiety.
3. Stronger hearing may result in higher pay
Let’s throw out a hypothetical: if you’re missing large parts of what’s being talked about during meetings at work, your job performance will be affected negatively. This can lead to passed promotions or even dicey job prospects.
When you’re wearing precisely calibrated hearing aids, you will be less exhausted from struggling to hear, and following along with those meetings will be a lot easier. This can improve your focus on work and put you in a better position to increase your income.
4. You’ll have decreased tinnitus symptoms
Tinnitus is one of those things that the majority of people have experienced at times; it’s that ringing or buzzing in your ear. Tinnitus symptoms will frequently be more extreme and more often with hearing loss (tinnitus is sometimes more noticeable with hearing loss simply because everything else is quieter, but there could also be other reasons too).
With a hearing aid, many individuals note that they experience reduced tinnitus symptoms. In these instances, that’s because the hearing aid is overpowering the sound of the tinnitus. But we will take relief whenever we can, right?
5. Reduced chance of mental decline
There is a solid connection between cognitive decline and hearing loss. For instance, untreated hearing loss can significantly increase your risk of developing dementia. Managing hearing loss appears to be helpful, even though there are numerous theories as to why. That’s why it’s important to make sure you use your hearing aids. You could be giving your brain a better chance of staying healthy longer.
6. Music can once again be enjoyed
When you have hearing loss music is more difficult to hear clearly. That’s because hearing loss is likely to impact one wavelength of sound first, then another. Maybe you can’t hear low frequencies, for example. The music you used to like, as a result, may sound… different.
With your hearing aids, however, those missing gaps in the music will be filled in, and you can appreciate music again! You’ll get the high notes and the low notes, instead of just one or the other (or a muffled mess). Hearing your favorite song again can be extremely enjoyable.
7. You’ll get an increase in confidence
Being able to hear better and interact more completely will boost your confidence. And confidence is a great thing.
This isn’t to say that hearing impairment should take away your confidence. It’s just that, particularly if that hearing loss is new, you may suddenly find it a challenge to interact with people in the same ways you always have.
A hearing aid can make those connections easier again. And that can result in a boost in confidence.
8. Your energy will be higher
If your hearing impairment has been gradually advancing, your brain has most likely been working harder. The audio gaps that your hearing loss is producing will try to be filled in by your brain because it doesn’t understand that your ears aren’t working. That’s… a lot of work! And so, your brain is under constant strain.
Your brain gets to recharge and relax when you wear a hearing aid. It will have less work to do. Which means you won’t feel so constantly tired and depleted. You’ll enjoy doing the things that are inspiring for you with this enhanced energy.
9. You’ll be safer and more perceptive of your surroundings
If your hearing loss is recent, you may not yet have fully adjusted. Usually, you would hear approaching traffic before you step out into the street. Before you look up into your rearview mirror, you would usually hear the oncoming sirens.
If your hearing loss is recent, or you aren’t conscious of it, you might assume that some situations are safe when they really aren’t. That can put you in some really unsafe situations.
Hearing aids will help restore that lost awareness. Your decision making will be smarter and safer.
10. You’ll be a positive example!
Change can be difficult, and personal growth harder still. When you invest in a hearing aid, you’re accepting that something isn’t actually working right anymore. But you’re also trying to improve the situation.
That’s a positive thing! We should all strive for this type of thing, right? So when you put in your hearing aids, you’re making yourself a positive example and role model. You should be proud of yourself.
Get your hearing checked as soon as you can
The primary advantage of hearing aids is that you get to experience hearing better. That one’s obvious. But there are lots of benefits to using hearing aids. This top ten list is certainly not exhaustive.
Your top ten list might look a little different. Making an appointment with us for a hearing exam is the first step no matter what advantages you look forward to.
