Hearing loss can really effect the way you live, even when it’s mild. The way you interact with friends, coworkers, and loved ones can change significantly. Daily tasks like going to the grocery store can grow more difficult. But it doesn’t need to have this type of negative affect on you. Quite the opposite, a well calibrated pair of hearing aids can make a huge difference.
Hearing aids improve your ability to hear, and that’s normally how most individuals think of them. And that’s true. But how do hearing aids enhance quality of life? Just how far do the benefits of hearing aids go?
The top ten reasons to invest in hearing aids
It’s kind of fascinating, isn’t it, how people can so frequently come up with top ten lists for anything? When you got up today, did you think you’d be reading a top ten list about hearing aids? Well, maybe you did if you’ve been dealing with your hearing loss for a while.
So, what are the top ten benefits connected with wearing your hearing aid? Here they are!
1. Your relationships will improve
Strong communication is crucial to any great relationship. But communication can be difficult when you have untreated hearing loss. With hearing aids, you’ll finally hear more than little bits of conversation. You’ll be able to follow along with the conversation and get the entire story.
This also means you won’t feel excluded from the conversation, and you won’t feel resentful that the conversations carry on without you. So you will have an improvement in your relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. There is a strong connection between relationships and hearing aids!
2. You’ll be more independent
Shopping at the grocery store or going to a restaurant when you’re dealing with neglected hearing loss can feel like an ordeal. Attempting to communicate with wait staff and cashiers can be tricky when you can’t hear very well. But with a set of hearing aids, the entire process suddenly becomes a lot easier. You can get around much more independently.
Driving will also be safer. That’s because your general situational awareness will be improved by your hearing aids. When you hear more of the world, you’ll be capable of doing more on your own, and you’ll be able to do it without as much anxiety.
3. You might make more money
Let’s toss out a hypothetical: if you’re missing large parts of what’s being discussed during meetings at work, your job performance will be affected negatively. This can result in passed promotions or even dicey job opportunities.
When you’re wearing properly calibrated hearing aids, you will be less fatigued from straining to hear, and keeping up with those meetings will be a lot easier. This can improve your focus on work and put you in a stronger position to increase your income.
4. You’ll have decreased tinnitus symptoms
Tinnitus is one of those things that most people have experienced from time to time; it’s that buzzing or ringing in your ear. Tinnitus symptoms will commonly be more intense and more often with hearing loss (there are a number of reasons for this, sometimes the tinnitus is just relatively noisier because everything else is so quiet, for example).
With a hearing aid, many individuals note that they experience diminished tinnitus symptoms. The louder overall outside sound supplied by the hearing aid may be, in some situations, simply drowning out the tinnitus symptoms. But relief is relief.
5. Reduced chance of cognitive decline
Hearing loss and cognitive issues are definitely connected. Your chance of developing cognitive decline can be significantly increased by neglecting hearing loss, for example. There are lots of theories about why this may be, but the bottom line is that treating your hearing loss seems to help! That’s why it’s not a good idea to forget to put in your hearing aid. You could be giving your brain a greater chance of remaining healthy longer.
6. Music can once again be enjoyed
It’s tough to appreciate music, in its full entirety, when you have hearing loss. That’s because hearing loss tends to impact one wavelength of sound first, then another. For example, you may be unable to hear low frequencies. The music you used to like, as a result, may sound… different.
With your hearing aids, though, those missing holes in the music will be filled in, and you can appreciate music again! You’ll hear all of the frequencies and your music won’t sound so muffled. Hearing your favorite song again can be incredibly enjoyable.
7. Your confidence will improve
Being able to hear better and interact more thoroughly will give you a boost of confidence. And who doesn’t want confidence?
We’re not suggesting that you shouldn’t have confidence just because you deal with hearing loss. We’re simply saying that you may find yourself having a hard time interacting with others, especially if your hearing loss is new.
Those connections can become easier again with hearing aids. And that can lead to a boost in confidence.
8. You’ll have more vigor
Your brain is probably working extra hard if your hearing loss is slowly progressing. The audio gaps that your hearing loss is creating will try to be filled in by your brain because it doesn’t understand that your ears aren’t functioning. That’s hard work. And it means that your brain is working (and strained) almost constantly.
When you invest in a hearing aid, you’re giving your brain the opportunity to relax and recharge. It won’t need to work as hard. With this, continuous tiredness and weariness will be reduced. You’ll enjoy doing the things that are exciting for you with this enhanced energy.
9. Being more mindful of your surroundings will keep you safer
You may not have adapted to your hearing loss, especially if it’s recent. Normally, you would hear approaching traffic before you step out into the street. You’re used to hearing the emergency siren before you check the rearview mirror.
You might assume certain situations are safe when, because you’re unaware of your hearing loss, or you’ve neglected it, they really aren’t. And that can be a hazardous proposition.
This lost awareness will be restored by using hearing aids. So you’ll be able to make wiser, safer decisions.
10. You will set a good example!
Change can be hard, and personal growth still harder. You’re admitting that things aren’t functioning properly now when you get a hearing aid. But you’re improving yourself too.
That’s a good thing! It’s the type of thing we should all work for! So when you pop in your hearing aids, you’re setting yourself up as a positive example and role model. (It’s okay, you can blush a bit, you deserve it.)
Get your hearing tested as soon as you can
The main benefit of hearing aids is that you get to experience hearing better. That goes without saying. But as you can tell, there are boatloads of immediate benefits of hearing aids! This top ten list is just that, one little list of only ten of these benefits.
You may have an entirely 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.