There are many reasons people are hesitant to get hearing aids, from fear of appearing “old” to worry that hearing aids can actually worsen hearing loss. Both of these are myths. This post focuses on the latter: hearing aids do not worsen hearing loss.
Why Do People Believe This Myth?
If you’ve been living with untreated hearing loss for a long time, as most people do, you probably don’t realize the extent of your hearing problems until you seek treatment. The contrast between how well you can hear with your hearing aids and how poorly you hear without them can shed light on your hearing difficulties. This does not mean your hearing has gotten worse since starting to wear hearing aids.
In addition, hearing loss is a progressive condition, meaning it worsens over time. If you’ve been wearing hearing aids for many years and feel as though your hearing ability is declining, know that this would be true regardless of whether you had sought treatment or not. While hearing aids don’t worsen hearing loss, they also don’t prevent the progression of the condition.
Some Amplifiers Can Cause Hearing Loss
This is not true for over-the-counter (OTC) amplifiers, which can, in fact, cause hearing loss. This is because, while prescriptive hearing aids are programmed to the exact specification of your hearing loss and can adjust sounds accordingly, OTC amplifiers amplify all sounds evenly – even loud sounds. This can damage your hearing over time.
The Benefits of Hearing Aids
According to one 2017 study, “The aim of hearing aid use is to reduce the negative consequences of hearing loss and improve participation in everyday life.”
More specifically, hearing aids can:
- Improve communication. When you can hear your conversation partner at Lucy’s Coffee Co. over your favorite blend, you can respond with more accuracy and thoughtfulness, improving your communication.
- Strengthen relationships. Any couples’ counselor will tell you communication is key to healthy relationships. When your communication improves, so do your relationships.
- Lower risk of mental health problems. Untreated hearing loss is associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression; hearing aids can lower this risk.
- Decreased chance of cognitive decline. If you don’t treat your hearing loss, you’re also more at risk of cognitive decline, including dementia. Studies show that treatment can prevent or delay a dementia and Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call M.K. Larson Audiology today.
