What’s the Most Misunderstood Thing About Losing Your Hearing?

Losing your hearing is a common concern in life, but many people think there are certain aspects of hearing loss as gospel. After all, there are so many different representations of hearing aids, especially on television and in movies. Therefore, someone who doesn't have a hearing aid can be prone to certain misunderstandings. Here are some of the most commonly misunderstood things about losing your hearing.

Hearing loss is something that happens when you are old

While losing your hearing is something that comes with age for so many of us, many people can get hearing loss after an illness, such as an ear infection and you can start to lose your hearing at any age. It doesn't matter how old you are.

Hearing aids are big, ugly devices

While once upon a time this was true, hearing aids have come a long way in the modern day, especially as hearing aids are now a fully functioning digital technology. It's also amazing to see what hearing aids look like now and how discreet they are. 

Many people think of hearing aids as massive devices that stick out of the ear like some sort of satellite dish, with a big wire going down to a chunky device in their pocket. In fact, the modern hearing aid is a very subtle and discreet device that can fit inside that ear canal or can be tucked behind your ear and under the hair. 

Hearing aids fix your hearing

For someone who is diagnosed with hearing loss, they may think that getting a hearing aid is a miracle cure. A hearing aid is a hearing loss treatment. When someone has a hearing aid it helps them to adjust to the sounds around them. While it's not a 100% perfect recreation of what they once heard prior to developing their hearing problem, it will help people who have struggled to hear sounds or speech and general everyday noises previously with more clarity.

Hearing loss is hereditary

This is not the case. Congenital hearing loss is something that is present from birth, but is not necessarily genetic. Since sensorineural hearing loss is something that is acquired over time and can happen to anybody regardless of their genetics, hearing loss can happen to anyone.

It’s okay to tell people with hearing loss I’ll tell you later 

One of the biggest problems that people with hearing loss have is being excluded. If you ever speak to someone with hearing loss in this manner, you are taking them out of the conversation and harming their opportunity to communicate. People with hearing loss people and want to take part in conversations. If you treat people with hearing loss like this, there is a chance they will become isolated. Everybody has an opportunity to be part of the conversation regardless of their hearing abilities.

Surgery can heal hearing loss

Like hearing aids, surgery doesn’t cure hearing loss. Some forms of hearing loss can be solved by surgery, such as blockages, this is not the case for everyone. In fact, only a handful of hearing loss cases can be healed. People with sensorineural hearing loss or specific congenital conditions would not benefit from surgery and need to find other methods of treatment. 

Hearing loss isn’t a big deal because it’s not life-threatening

Some people think that hearing loss is a condition that is livable, but this is another misconception. People with hearing loss are more at-risk of accidents, especially when vehicles are involved. Hearing loss is not fatal can seriously impact our life because so many of the basic duties in our daily lives require an extra hurdle. While people with diagnosed with hearing loss can cope well with their condition, it is a big deal, but this is why it’s so important if you are concerned about your hearing that you visit an audiologist to undergo a hearing test and take the next important step to making it a condition that is commonly misunderstood to be less so.

As you can see, there are so many different misconceptions about losing your hearing. If you think you have an issue with your hearing and you want to get it checked, you can get in contact with Audiology and Hearing Aid Services today at 912-351-3038 and book an appointment with an audiologist. While there are so many misunderstandings about losing your hearing, if you have thought any of these in the past, you can change your opinions or help yourself or someone you care about to get the support they need.