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When it comes to hearing loss, many things may seem obvious, but the truth is, some of our strongly held beliefs about hearing loss are actually myths. Hearing loss affects one in every five Americans, so it’s important to take the time to decipher what’s true and what’s not when it comes to your hearing health.
We all can benefit from educating ourselves more about hearing loss, as statistically, everyone will likely know someone who struggles with it. Perhaps the person you know dealing with hearing loss could be yourself! Below is a list of common misconceptions about hearing loss.
One Ear Works, So I Am Fine
Even if one of your ears is still functioning well, it may be affected similarly like your other damaged ear. Once hearing loss occurs, it does not affect one side alone. Since hearing happens in the brain, you are actually processing audio data from both sides – so it’s important to remember that it could be harmful to get by with just one “better hearing” ear!
Hearing Loss Affects Older People Only
This is only partly true. Hearing loss affects older people in greater numbers, but it can also affect younger people. Noise induced hearing loss from work related noise, headphones and concerts affects the hearing of people of any age. Some children even obtain it since birth (congenital), while others experience it later in life due to different factors including head trauma.
Hearing Loss Can Not Be Helped
If you have lived centuries ago or even several decades ago, this may be true. In the olden days, the technology we now have to treat hearing loss did not exist yet. Now we are here in 2019 and hearing aids have evolved into sophisticated “mini computers”, and cochlear implant surgery has been developed. These treatments can give people with hearing loss a new hope of being able to hear more clearly.
My Hearing Loss Isn’t Bad Enough for Hearing Aids
It’s a common assumption that only those with severe hearing loss need hearing aids. The truth is that even mild hearing loss should be treated as soon as possible. Early intervention is the key to preserving your hearing, and staying engaged with your life. What happens if you don’t treat your hearing loss? The auditory cells in your brain need stimulation. If you have hearing loss and can’t hear certain frequencies, the cells in your brain that are used to hear those sounds don’t have any work to do, and eventually get used for something else. When you do get a hearing device, those cells don’t return to hearing, and while your hearing will improve dramatically, it will never be like it once was.
Hearing Loss Does Not Affect Your Health
If left untreated, hearing loss can have other negative social and health impacts in both adults and children that go beyond the hearing impairment itself and include reduced quality of life and well-being. Potential health impacts from hearing loss can include headaches, muscle tension, and increased stress and blood pressure levels. Some studies have linked untreated hearing loss in adults to depression, fatigue, social withdrawal and impaired memory. This often can lead to dementia if left untreated.
My Doctor Will Tell Me When I Have Hearing Loss
Unfortunately, your doctor won’t tell you if you have hearing loss. Even if you visit your physician regularly, only about 14% of doctors will screen for hearing loss during routine checkups. But they’d notice just by talking to you, right? Wrong! In the quiet doctor’s office, you can probably hear quite well, so your hearing loss won’t be obvious. It takes a trained hearing specialist to perform auditory tests and determine your level of hearing loss.
The Truth is Out There
It is important that myths about hearing loss be sorted out so that everyone will be equipped with sufficient information on what is true, what needs to be done, and what steps to take if they are encountered with trouble regarding hearing loss.
To learn more about hearing loss, contact us at Audiology Consultants to schedule a hearing test. The sooner you deal with your hearing loss the sooner you can dispel the myths and start living your life reconnected to the sounds around you!