Hearing loss can seriously effect the way you live, even when it’s minor. The way you connect with friends, coworkers, and loved ones can change substantially. It can become challenging to complete daily tasks like going shopping. But it doesn’t have to have this kind of negative impact on you. If you use a well adjusted hearing aid, it can make a huge difference.
Hearing aids improve your ability to hear, and that’s usually how most individuals think of them. And that’s not untrue. But how do hearing aids enhance quality of life? What further benefits will hearing aids deliver?
Hearing aid’s top ten advantages
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 benefits of using hearing aids.
1. You will have improved relationships.
For any relationship to be great, good communication is crucial. But communication can be problematic 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 excluded from conversations. So your overall relationships, among your friends, co-workers, and loved ones, will improve. The link between hearing aids and relationships is a powerful one!
2. You’ll have greater independence
When you’re dealing with untreated hearing loss, activities like shopping or eating out can be a real ordeal. When you’re unable to hear very well, communicating with cashiers and wait staff can be challenging. But the whole process becomes easier when you have hearing aids. You’ll have a lot more independence when you navigate the world around you.
Driving will also be safer. That’s because your hearing aids will enhance your overall 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. Stronger hearing may lead to higher income
Consider this hypothetical situation: if you’re attending a meeting at work and miss half of what’s discussed, you may not execute your job quite as well. This can result in lost promotions or even dicey job prospects.
With your hearing aids firmly in place and working correctly, 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 boost your income by improving your ability to focus on work.
4. You’ll have reduced tinnitus symptoms
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 usually be experienced much more powerfully (tinnitus is sometimes louder with hearing loss simply because everything else is quieter, but there may also be other reasons as well).
Many individuals observe that their tinnitus symptoms decrease when they use a hearing aid. The louder overall external sound supplied by the hearing aid may be, in some cases, simply drowning out the tinnitus symptoms. But we will take relief where we can get it, right?
5. Decreased risk of mental decline
There is a solid connection between cognitive decline and hearing impairment. For instance, untreated hearing loss can significantly elevate your risk of developing dementia. There are lots of theories about why this may be, but the end result is that treating your hearing loss seems to be helpful! That’s why it isn’t a good idea to forget to put in your hearing aid. You could be helping the health of your brain!
6. You can appreciate music again
It’s tough to enjoy music, in its full entirety, when you suffer from hearing impairment. That’s because one wavelength of sound typically goes before the others. For instance, you might be unable to hear low frequencies. As a result, the song you once enjoyed might just sound… weird.
You will be able to enjoy music again with your hearing aids replacing missing sound. You’ll hear all of the wavelengths and your music won’t sound so garbled. Hearing your favorite tune again can be incredibly enjoyable.
7. Your confidence will improve
Having better hearing and interacting more thoroughly will give you a boost of confidence. And who doesn’t like confidence?
We’re not implying that you shouldn’t have confidence just because you have hearing loss. It’s just that, particularly if that hearing loss is new, you might suddenly find it a challenge to interact with others in the same ways you always have.
A hearing aid can make those connections easier again. And that can result in improved confidence.
8. You’ll have more energy
Your brain is most likely 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 working. That’s hard work. And so, your brain is under constant strain.
When you invest in a hearing aid, you’re giving your brain an opportunity to slow down and recharge. It will have less work to accomplish. Which means you won’t feel so constantly exhausted and drained. 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 completely adapted. You’re used to being able to hear traffic before you step out into the street. You’re accustomed to hearing the emergency siren before you check the rearview mirror.
If your hearing loss is new, or you aren’t aware of it, you may presume that some scenarios are safe when they actually aren’t. And that can be a hazardous proposition.
This lost awareness will be recovered by using hearing aids. So you’ll be able to make wiser, safer choices.
10. You will set a good example!
The one thing that can be even harder than change is personal growth. You’re admitting that things aren’t functioning effectively now when you invest in a hearing aid. But you’re improving yourself as well.
There’s nothing wrong with that! It’s the kind of thing we should all strive for! So you’re becoming a role model and a positive example when you use your hearing aids. (It’s okay, you can blush a bit, you deserve it.)
Schedule a hearing assessment right away
The main benefit of hearing aids is that you get to experience hearing better. That goes without saying. But there are plenty of benefits to using hearing aids. This top ten list is in no way exhaustive.
Your top ten list might 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 checked.