Myths about hearing aids

There is still a great deal of misunderstanding about using hearing aids. Many people still believe:
1.That hearing aids are big and clumsy
2.That they continuously whistle
3.That they need a remote control as big as those used for TV
4.That they are difficult to operate and maintain

Myth Fact
Only a few people are truly hearing impaired and chances are, neither I nor those close to me are affected. The odds are that you or someone close to you has some degree of hearing impairment. In fact, it has been estimated that 20 million Americans suffer from some form of hearing impairment.
If I had a hearing impairment, I certainly would know about it. Not necessarily. Often impairment develops slowly and subtly. Our own built-in defenses may make it difficult for us to determine whether we do or don’t. A simple hearing test would determine if an impairment exists.
Will hearing aids restore my hearing to normal? Hearing aids are designed to aid a person’s hearing. Hearing aids cannot restore human hearing nor can they retard the progression of nerve deafness. They are only part of hearing rehabilitation and may need to be supplemented by auditory training.
Will my hearing aids help in the presence of distracting background noise? Understanding, especially in a noisy environment, will vary depending on each individual’s hearing loss. Overall benefit may depend on proper fit, frequency of use, auditory rehabilitation, the severity of hearing loss, and on the accuracy of the patient evaluation.
When someone is hearing impaired, that just means that sounds are not loud enough. That’s just part of it. Perhaps the person may have trouble hearing in crowds or in group conversations. Perhaps they hear but don’t always understand what’s being said. Words may seem to be jumbled or words just run together. These are but a few of the symptoms.
Hearing aids are large and unsightly. Most people therefore don’t want to wear them. Most people aren’t aware of the latest technological advances that have been made in hearing aids. For many, ‘in-the ear’ hearing aids exist and these aids are amazingly small and discreet. They’re so technically advanced that they’ve made most old fashioned hearing aids obsolete.
Wearing a hearing aid is a sign you’re getting old. Although hearing impairments are common in older adults, many middle age and younger people are affected as well.
I’ve heard that my type of hearing loss can’t be helped. In most cases, nerve deafness can be helped through amplification. Now there is hope for those who have been told they couldn’t be helped.
It's too expensive to get a really good hearing aid. The very best hearing aids available are well within the reach of most people. Any way you look at it, a hearing aid could be the best investment you can make.
The very best hearing aids available are well within the reach of most people. Any way you look at it, a hearing aid could be the best investment you can make. Not so. Your hearing aid dispenser may arrange the test free for you if the H A is bought from him/her.