Eyeglasses were once considered very unhip, and every bully on the playground couldn’t wait to be the first to call someone names for needing to wear them. Today, however, glasses and contacts are very much a social norm. In fact, many who don’t even require vision correction will order frames with clear glass or colored contact without a prescription just to wear them as an accessory.
Unfortunately, this is still not the case with hearing aids. Less than fifty percent of people that need hearing correction will seek out a solution, because the idea of wearing a hearing aid is just too hard for them to swallow. Instead, they will choose to turn up the volume, which will only succeed in making the hearing loss more pronounced over time.
Hearing loss is usually a gradual development, and people are often not even aware of the deficit until a friend or family member calls attention to it. Once a person has been made aware of the problem, however, there is no excuse for not taking steps to correct it. Consulting an audiologist, or a hearing doctor, is the first step. The family physician will be glad to supply a referral if you do not already know an audiologist.
If a hearing aid is prescribed, there is no reason to fret. There are several types of devices and all have a different fit and function. The full shell and behind the ear models are prescribed to those that suffer severe hearing loss. Chances are, you’d have been aware of your hearing loss long ago if your situation requires that you wear one of these models.
There is actually a very small hearing aid that fits directly into the canal of your ear. These are molded especially for each individual wearer, and when used correctly are virtually invisible. The contact lens of hearing aids! Keep in mind that its tiny size can make the controls hard to use, though.
The next size up fits almost entirely into your ear canal, with just a bit of the hearing aid visible in the shell of the ear. These are especially good for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss, and the size makes them somewhat easier to operate. Also, there is a half-shell hearing aid that is more visible, but it is much easier to operate because of its larger size.
Once you have been fitted for a hearing device, you should allow yourself plenty of time to become accustomed to the new feel of it, as well as the sounds that you will hear. These aids are not meant to return your hearing to normal, but they will amplify the sounds that you want to hear, and cancel out the background noises that make following conversation difficult. Be sure that any device you choose provides ample trial time.
Studies show that these hearing correction devices can greatly increase your quality of life. Your new hearing ability can even make it possible for you to earn more money in the workplace. Don’t let social norms keep you from seeking help.
