What'd You Say? 3 Of The Most Common Misconceptions About Hearing Aids

You most likely already know the signs that you are starting to not hear as well as you used to. What was that? Could you repeat that last sentence? Huh? With all of this, more than likely, your close friends and family members will see it too. Unfortunately, the realization that someone is losing their hearing is often the leading step in the direction of all kinds of misinformation. Here are a few of the most common misconceptions about wearing a hearing aid and the actual facts behind them.

Myth: Everyone will see your hearing aid and know you are getting old.

Fact: Modern hearing aids are much smaller than what you may have in mind. In fact, most in-canal receivers are so small that no one will ever even know they are there unless you literally pull the aid out of your ear and show them. Hearing loss is a perfectly normal part of aging, but when you do not want people to recognize this natural process, the last thing you want is a device telling the world you cannot hear as good as you once did. Thankfully, this is no longer a concern.

Myth: Hearing aids are hard to get adjusted to in the beginning.

Fact: The only issue most patients have when they first start wearing their aid is finding the appropriate volume level for their hearing needs, which will be made easier by your audiologist. The ergonomic shape of the modern in-canal hearing aid allows for a comfortable fit that is often custom designed to fit the inside of your ear. Therefore, many patients barely notice the aid is in their ear when it is properly in place.

Myth: People can sometimes hear the whistling feedback from your hearing aid.

Fact: Some of the first hearing aid designs were infamous for causing feedback that would radiate as a high-pitched whistling noise sometimes loud enough to be heard by not just the patient, but people nearby as well. This high-frequency interference has been eliminated with the digital technology of modern hearing aid devices and should not be a concern.

Just because you are getting a bit hard of hearing does not mean that wearing a hearing aid will be a bad experience. Be sure to ask for advice from your audiologist instead of listening to old myths and misinformation offered by well-meaning friends and family members. Speak with a professional such as Chears Audiology-Kim Fishman Audiologist for more information.