Even when it’s relatively mild, hearing loss can have a major impact on your life. There will be a dramatic change in the way you interact with loved ones, friends, and coworkers. It can become a challenge to accomplish day-to-day tasks like going shopping. But that doesn’t mean it has to be all doom and gloom. On the contrary, a well calibrated pair of hearing aids can make a big difference.
Most individuals usually think of those advantages in a really linear sort of way: Hearing aids help you hear better. And that’s not untrue. But how is the quality of life enhanced? What further benefits will hearing aids deliver?
The top ten reasons to get hearing aids
We humans just love making top ten lists. When you got up today, did you think you’d be reading a top ten list about hearing aids? Well, maybe you did if you’ve been coping with your hearing loss for a while.
So here are the top ten advantages of using hearing aids.
1. You will have better relationships.
For any relationship to be great, good communication is crucial. But communication can be challenging when you have untreated hearing loss. With hearing aids, you’ll finally hear more than little snippets of conversation. You’ll hear everything, you’ll get the whole story, and you’ll be able to keep up with the conversation.
You won’t be resentful and feel left out of conversations. So you will have an improvement in your relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers. The link between hearing aids and relationships is a powerful one!
2. You’ll be more independent
When you have untreated hearing loss, activities such as shopping or eating out can be a real ordeal. Attempting to communicate with wait staff and cashiers can be difficult when you can’t hear very well. But the overall process gets easier when you use hearing aids. You can navigate much more independently.
Driving will also be safer. That’s because your hearing aids will improve your overall situational awareness (more on that in a bit). You won’t be as anxious about doing things by yourself when you’re able to hear the world more clearly.
3. You could make more money
Consider this hypothetical situation: if you’re losing large parts of what’s being talked about during meetings at work, your work performance will be affected negatively. This can lead to lost promotions or even dicey job opportunities.
When you’re wearing properly calibrated hearing aids, you will be less exhausted from struggling to hear, and keeping up with those meetings will be much easier. By doing this you can have a chance to boost your income by increasing your ability to focus on work.
4. You’ll have reduced tinnitus symptoms
Tinnitus is that ringing or buzzing in the ear that the majority of us have experienced now and then. When you have hearing loss, tinnitus can usually be experienced much more powerfully (there are a number of reasons for this, sometimes the tinnitus is just relatively louder because everything else is so quiet, for instance).
Many individuals report that their tinnitus symptoms ease up when they wear a hearing aid. In these cases, that’s because the hearing aid is overpowering the sound of the tinnitus. But we will take relief where we can get it, right?
5. Reduced chance of cognitive decline
Hearing impairment and cognitive issues are firmly connected. For instance, untreated hearing loss can significantly raise your chance of developing dementia. Treating hearing loss seems to be helpful, even though there are many theories as to why. That’s why it isn’t a good idea to forget to wear your hearing aid. You could be helping your brain health!
6. Music can once again be enjoyed
It’s difficult to appreciate music, in its whole entirety, when you suffer from hearing loss. That’s because one frequency of sound usually goes before the others. For instance, you might be unable to hear low frequencies. The music you used to like, consequently, might sound… different.
With your hearing aids, however, those missing holes in the music will be filled in, and you can appreciate music again! You’ll hear all of the frequencies and your music won’t sound so garbled. Hearing your favorite band again can be incredibly enjoyable.
7. You’ll get an increase in confidence
Having better hearing and interacting more thoroughly will give you a boost of confidence. And confidence is a great thing.
This isn’t to say that hearing impairment should rob you of your confidence. It’s just that, particularly if that hearing loss is recent, you could suddenly find it challenging to interact with people in the same ways you always have.
Those connections can become easier again when you use hearing aids. And that can result in a boost in confidence.
8. You’ll have more vigor
Your brain is probably working extra hard if your hearing loss is gradually advancing. 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 functioning. That’s… a lot of work! And so, your brain is under continual strain.
When you invest in a hearing aid, you’re giving your brain a chance to slow down and refresh. It won’t have to work so hard. With this, persistent exhaustion and weariness will be reduced. You’ll have more vitality to do the things you enjoy doing!
9. You’ll be safer and more perceptive of your surroundings
If your hearing loss is new, you may not yet have completely adapted. Normally, you would hear oncoming traffic before you step out into the street. You’re accustomed to hearing the ambulance siren before you check the rearview mirror.
You might presume certain situations are safe when, because you’re not aware of your hearing loss, or you’ve disregarded it, they actually aren’t. And that can be a hazardous proposition.
This lost awareness will be recovered by using hearing aids. Your decision making will be smarter and safer.
10. You will set a good example!
The one thing that can be even more difficult than change is personal growth. You’re admitting that things aren’t working properly now when you invest in a hearing aid. But you’re also trying to better the situation.
There’s nothing wrong with that! It’s the kind of thing we should all work for! So when you put in your hearing aids, you’re making yourself a positive example and role model. You should be proud of yourself.
Schedule an appointment for a hearing exam right away
When you use hearing aids you will hear better and that’s the biggest benefit. That goes without saying. But there are plenty of benefits to using hearing aids. This top ten list is by no means complete.
You might have an entirely different top ten list. Making an appointment with us for a hearing test is the first step no matter what advantages you look forward to.