According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders only one fifth of people who could benefit are using a hearing aid. Many people don’t even know they need one. Others are more attached to their grandparents’ hearing aids, and don’t want to be old.
However, much of the stigma around hearing aids is false. Siemens Hearing Instruments, (www.medical.siemens.comThe following myths are busted by, one of the biggest manufacturers of hearing aids worldwide:
* Hearing aids will make me look old. Modern hearing aids can be sleeker and more efficient than the clunkers that your grandparents wore. It’s hard to look old when you ask people to repeat themselves more or speak louder.
* Hearing aids will make me hear screeching noises. This problem is known as “feedback,”This happens when the microphones inside the hearing aid amplify one another. Some hearing aids have features that stop feedback. Siemens has a line hearing aids that are equipped with BestSound Technology. This technology prevents feedback.
* My hearing’s not bad enough for hearing aids. It’s actually better to get hearing aids as soon as you notice hearing loss. Your brain will become accustomed to hearing sounds and it will be harder to adjust when you get a hearing aid.
* Hearing aids won’t work for me. You might have heard your friends tell you that their hearing aids stopped working. However, that doesn’t mean that the devices won’t work well for you. Consider hearing aids that have a wide variety of features that may be suitable for your listening situation. Siemens BestSound Technology, for example, has special features that automatically focus in different directions and learn your preferences for different environments.
* Hearing aids will make my hearing worse. Your hearing won’t be affected if the hearing aid is well fitted and properly maintained. Talk to an audiologist about the best hearing aid for you.
