Even when it’s relatively mild, hearing loss can have a huge impact on your life. There will be a considerable change in the way you connect with loved ones, friends, and coworkers. It can become a challenge to perform day-to-day activities such as going shopping. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be all doom and gloom. If you utilize a well adjusted hearing aid, it can make a big difference.
Most individuals tend to think of those benefits in a very linear sort of way: Hearing aids help you hear better. And that’s true. But how do hearing aids enhance quality of life? Just how far do the advantages of hearing aids go?
Hearing aid’s top ten benefits
It’s sort of fascinating, isn’t it, how people can so often produce top ten lists for everything? When you woke up today, did you think you’d be reading a top ten list about hearing aids? Well, maybe you did if you’ve been dealing with your hearing loss for a while.
So, what are the top ten advantages connected with using your hearing aid? Here they are!
1. You will have better relationships.
For any relationship to be great, good communication is essential. But communication can be challenging when you have neglected hearing loss. With hearing aids, you’ll finally hear more than little bits of conversation. You’ll be able to keep up with the conversation and get the entire story.
You won’t be resentful and feel left out of conversations. So your overall relationships, among your friends, co-workers, and loved ones, will improve. The link between hearing aids and relationships is a strong one!
2. You’ll be more independent
Shopping at the grocery store or going to a restaurant when you have untreated hearing loss can be an ordeal. Trying to communicate with wait staff and cashiers can be challenging when you can’t hear that well. But with a set of hearing aids, the whole process quickly becomes much easier. You can get around much more independently.
You’ll also be better able to drive safely. That’s because your hearing aids will enhance your all-around situational awareness (more on that later). You won’t be as anxious about doing things by yourself when you can hear the world more clearly.
3. You could make more money
Let’s throw out a hypothetical: if you’re attending a meeting at work and miss a lot of what’s said, you may not do your job quite as well. This can result in diminished job opportunities and being passed-up for promotions.
With your hearing aids securely in place and working properly, you’ll be able to keep up with meetings, and you won’t be as tired all the time from struggling to hear. By doing this you can have an opportunity to raise your income by increasing your ability to focus on work.
4. Your tinnitus symptoms will diminish
Tinnitus is that buzzing or ringing in the ear that the majority of us have experienced occasionally. When you suffer from hearing loss, tinnitus can often be experienced much more intensely (tinnitus is sometimes louder with hearing loss simply because everything else is quieter, but there could also be other reasons too).
Many people observe that their tinnitus symptoms decrease when they wear a hearing aid. The louder overall external sound provided by the hearing aid might be, in some cases, just drowning out the tinnitus symptoms. But relief is relief.
5. Less chance of developing dementia
There is a solid link between cognitive decline and hearing impairment. For instance, untreated hearing loss can significantly raise your risk of developing dementia. There are lots of theories about why this might be, but the end result is that treating your hearing loss seems to help! That’s why it’s important to be certain you use your hearing aids. You might be giving your brain a better chance of remaining healthy longer.
6. Music can once again be appreciated
When you have hearing loss music is harder to hear clearly. That’s because one frequency of sound usually goes before the others. Maybe you’re unable to hear low frequencies, for example. The music you used to like, consequently, may 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 get the high notes and the low notes, instead of just one or the other (or a garbled mess). Hearing your favorite tune again can be incredibly enjoyable.
7. Your confidence will improve
Your confidence will be enhanced when you can hear better and have more successful interactions. And who doesn’t want confidence?
We’re not suggesting that you shouldn’t be confident just because you have hearing loss. We’re just saying that you might find yourself having a hard time interacting with others, especially if your hearing loss is new.
A hearing aid can make those interactions easier again. And when that happens, confidence will improve.
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 know that your ears aren’t working. That’s hard work. And it means that your brain is working (and strained) almost continuously.
When you invest in a hearing aid, you’re giving your brain a chance to slow down and recharge. It won’t have to work as hard. Which means you won’t feel so continually tired and drained. You’ll have more vitality to do the things you love to do!
9. You’ll be safer and more perceptive of your environment
If your hearing loss is recent, you might not yet have fully adapted. You’re used to hearing traffic before you step out into the road. Before you look in your rearview mirror, you would usually hear the oncoming sirens.
If your hearing loss is new, or you aren’t aware of it, you may assume that some scenarios are safe when they actually aren’t. And that can be a dangerous proposition.
Hearing aids will help regain that lost awareness. Your decision making will be wiser and safer.
10. You’ll be a positive example!
Change can be difficult, and personal growth still harder. You’re admitting that things aren’t working effectively now when you get a hearing aid. But you’re also attempting to better the situation.
That’s a good thing! It’s the type of thing we should all strive for! So you’re acting as a role model and a positive example when you use your hearing aids. You should be proud of yourself.
Have your hearing tested as soon as you can
When you use hearing aids you will hear better and that’s the principal advantage. That goes without saying. But there are lots of advantages to using hearing aids. This top ten list is only that, one little list of just ten of these benefits.
Your top ten list may look a little different. No matter what advantages you look forward to the most, the first step is scheduling an appointment with us to have your hearing tested.