5 Reasons Why Some People Are Resistant to Hearing Aids
According to the National Institute on Aging, one out of three people between the ages of 65-74 has some degree of hearing loss. Almost half of the population over age 75 has a hard time hearing. It can be challenging for some to admit that they have problems hearing, but eventually, it’s not something that can be hidden. Really, it’s not something you want to hide either.
The technology and research that have been done to aid those with hearing loss have been tremendous over the years, and the availability of small, more effective hearing aids is widespread.
The risk of other diseases and conditions like dementia, depression, cognitive function decline, balance issues, and more can directly result from hearing loss not being treated and ignored.
So, if there are so many people with hearing loss, health issues at stake, and so much access to improved hearing aids and assistance, what is the disconnect? Why are some people so resistant to hearing aids? Let’s look at a few possible explanations.
Cost
The price of hearing aids is one of the first complaints you might hear. They aren’t cheap, but the tradeoff is well worth it. What you get back to hearing your loved ones and friends once again is something you’ll count as “priceless.”
There are ways to manage the cost as well. Things like payment plans, the option of refurbished hearing aids, and insurance can all help reduce the initial cost as well as the maintenance you will need to receive.
Embarrassment of Looking “Old”
Wearing hearing aids often has a direct tie to age. Many people see themselves as “old” if they wear hearing aids and are not quite ready for that stigma. Women especially seem to have a hard time with the vanity part of wearing hearing aids.
It’s not just women who have issues with the look hearing aids portray – especially in men who are still working. Hearing aids can appear as a weakness and threaten their position in the company or out in the everyday world.
The great news regarding hearing aids and the “look” they tend to portray is that there are many that fit inside the ear and are hardly noticeable at all with new technology. This provides the patient all the advantages of hearing aids without altering their appearance. You might be surprised how small they really are. You might even have friends that are currently wearing hearing aids without you knowing!
Visiting a Doctor
It’s such a pain to visit the doctor. It can even be scary for many. While this can be tough, the need for regular visits to your hearing specialist, your primary care doctor, and other specialists is quite necessary to your health.
Visiting your hearing specialist on a regular basis not only keeps your hearing aids functioning correctly, but it also becomes a comfortable and friendly environment where you find friends ready to help you get the maximum results from your hearing aids.
Negative Opinions or Reviews
Everyone knows someone with a bad experience regarding their hearing aids. Maybe the hearing aids were big and bulky, could have been too loud, or could not be customized to their specific needs.
No matter what you may have heard from friends that have had a bad experience with their hearing aids, it’s important to remember that this isn’t you. Just because someone else felt negative about their doctor or the hearing aids they were given doesn’t mean you will. In addition, some of these issues you hear from your friends probably happened years ago and really don’t have anything to do with the hearing aids that are offered today.
Hearing aids and the ability to adjust them specifically for the user have come a long way. They not only perform better, but they also look better, and people have an overall positive experience with them. They can even connect to your television, phone, or tablet!
Change
Many of us resist change to the thousandth degree. No matter what the change may be, we don’t want to be a part of it. Hearing aids can be a change you won’t regret, though. The quality of life that you can gain back is immense, as well as the human connection you can be a part of once again.
Although you might resist giving hearing aids a try, they can do wonders for your everyday life if you give them a chance. They take some getting used to, but you’ll find that you won’t want to go without them after a few days.
Connect with Loved Ones Again
The chance to connect with your loved ones again is what usually tips the scale for most people. It can be frustrating and lonely to be the only one in the room without understanding what people are saying.
Hearing aids give you the opportunity to stay connected with your surroundings in general. For example, being able to hear the waiter at a restaurant, understand directions, hear the warning sounds of a fire alarm, or approaching an ambulance are all valuable and sometimes even life-changing advantages to hearing aids.
Although there can be barriers and stigmas attached to hearing aids, they decrease every day, especially as more research is done and people are educated about all the benefits. Hearing aids aren’t just about hearing. Cognitive function, depression, feelings of isolation, memory, balance, and more are all conditions that can be tremendously slowed or avoided altogether. You may not even know you are fighting a hearing problem until you get it checked out.
If you are ready to find out what you’ve been missing, contact our team at Fairfax Hearing Center. Scheduling a consultation and hearing test can be the beginning of a new chapter for you. With a personalized plan to manage your hearing loss and treat it accordingly, you’ll find comfort in knowing you’re receiving the best hearing care possible. So call us today to get started.