Even when it’s fairly minor, hearing loss can have a huge impact on your life. There will be a dramatic change in the way you communicate with loved ones, friends, and coworkers. It can become difficult to complete daily tasks such as going shopping. But it doesn’t have to have this type of negative impact on you. On the contrary, a well calibrated pair of hearing aids can make a huge difference.
Most individuals tend to think of those advantages in a really linear sort of way: Hearing aids help you hear better. And that’s not untrue. But how is the quality of life enhanced? What further benefits will hearing aids deliver?
Hearing aid’s top ten advantages
We humans just love creating top ten lists. When you got up today, did you think you’d be reading a top ten list about hearing aids? Well, perhaps you did if you’ve been coping with your hearing loss for a while.
So here are the top ten advantages of using hearing aids.
1. You will have better relationships.
Strong communication is crucial to any good relationship. But when you have untreated hearing loss, communication can be a real challenge. With hearing aids, you’ll finally hear more than little snippets of conversation. You’ll hear everything, you’ll get the whole story, and you’ll be capable of keeping up with the conversation.
This also means you won’t feel left out of the conversation, and you won’t feel resentful that the conversations carry on without you. So your general relationships, among your friends, co-workers, and loved ones, will improve. The connection between hearing aids and relationships is a powerful one!
2. You’ll have more independence
When you’re dealing with untreated hearing loss, tasks such as shopping or dining out can be a real ordeal. When you’re unable to hear all that well, communicating with wait staff or cashiers can be tricky. But the whole process becomes easier when you use hearing aids. You’ll have much more independence when you navigate the world around you.
You’ll also be better able to drive safely. That’s because your hearing aids will improve your all-around situational awareness (more on that in a bit). When you hear more of the world, you’ll be able to do more without any help, and you’ll be able to do it without as much anxiety.
3. Better hearing may lead to higher pay
Think about this hypothetical scenario: if you’re losing large parts of what’s being talked about during meetings at work, your work performance will suffer. This can result in lost promotions or even dicey job opportunities.
With your hearing aids securely in place and working properly, you’ll be able to follow along with meetings, and you won’t be as tired all the time from struggling to hear. By doing this you can have a chance to raise your income by increasing your ability to focus on work.
4. Your tinnitus symptoms will lessen
Tinnitus is that ringing or buzzing in the ear that the majority of us have experienced now and then. When you have hearing loss, tinnitus can usually be experienced much more intensely (tinnitus is sometimes louder with hearing loss simply because everything else is quieter, but there may also be other reasons too).
With a hearing aid, many people observe that they experience reduced tinnitus symptoms. The louder overall outside sound supplied by the hearing aid could be, in some cases, just drowning out the tinnitus symptoms. But relief is relief.
5. Reduced risk of mental decline
There is a firm link between cognitive decline and hearing loss. For instance, untreated hearing loss can significantly elevate your risk of developing dementia. There are lots of hypotheses about why this may be, but the end result is that treating your hearing loss seems to be helpful! That’s why it’s important to be certain you wear your hearing aids. You could be helping your brain health!
6. Music can once again be enjoyed
When you have hearing loss music is harder to hear clearly. That’s because hearing loss tends to impact one wavelength of sound first, then another. Maybe you’re unable to hear low frequencies, for instance. The music you used to like, consequently, might sound… different.
You will be able to appreciate music again with your hearing aids filling in the missing sound. You’ll get the high notes and the low notes, instead of only one or the other (or a muffled mess). Hearing your favorite tune again can be incredibly enjoyable.
7. Your confidence will improve
Your confidence will be boosted when you can hear better and have more effective interactions. And who doesn’t want confidence?
This is not to say that hearing loss should take away your confidence. We’re simply saying that you may find yourself having a difficult time interacting with others, especially if your hearing loss is new.
A hearing aid can make those connections easier again. And when that happens, confidence will improve.
8. You’ll have more vigor
If your hearing loss has been slowly developing, your brain has likely been working overtime. The audio gaps that your hearing loss is creating will try to be filled in by your brain because it doesn’t know that your ears aren’t functioning. That’s… a lot of work! And so, your brain is under persistent strain.
Your brain gets to recharge and unwind when you use a hearing aid. It won’t have to work as hard. With this, persistent exhaustion and fatigue will be reduced. You’ll enjoy doing the things that are exciting for you with this increased energy.
9. You’ll be safer and more aware of your environment
You may not have adjusted to your hearing loss, especially if it’s recent. Normally, you would hear oncoming traffic before you step out into the street. Before you look up into your rearview mirror, you would ordinarily hear the oncoming sirens.
If your hearing loss is new, or you aren’t aware of it, you might presume that some scenarios are safe when they really aren’t. And that can be a dangerous proposition.
Hearing aids will help reestablish that lost awareness. So you’ll be capable of making smarter, less dangerous choices.
10. You’ll be a positive example!
Change can be hard, and personal growth still harder. When you get a hearing aid, you’re accepting that something isn’t actually working properly anymore. But you’re improving yourself as well.
That’s a positive thing! It’s the kind of thing we should all strive for! So when you put in your hearing aids, you’re making yourself a positive example and role model. (It’s okay, you can blush a bit, you deserve it.)
Schedule an appointment for a hearing assessment right away
When you use hearing aids you will hear better and that’s the biggest benefit. That one’s obvious. But there are plenty of benefits to using hearing aids. This top ten list is in no way complete.
You may have a totally different top ten list. Scheduling an appointment with us for a hearing exam is the first step no matter what benefits you look forward to.