Ten Common Myths and
Ten Surprising 'HEARING'

Facts

1. Myth: Only a few people are truly hearing-impaired and chances are, neither I nor those close to me are affected.

Fact: The odds are that you or someone close to you has some degree of hearing impairment. In fact, it has been estimated that 20 million Americans suffer from some form of hearing-impairment.

2. Myth: If I had a hearing impairment, I certainly would know about it.

Fact: Not necessarily. Often an impairment develops slowly and subtly. Our own built-in defenses may make it difficult for us to determine whether we do or don’t. A simple hearing test would determine if an impairment exists.

3. Myth: Will hearing aids restore my hearing to normal?

Fact: Hearing aids are designed to aid a person’s hearing. Hearing aids cannot restore human hearing nor can they retard the progression of nerve deafness. They are only part of hearing rehabilitation and may need to be supplemented by auditory training.

4. Myth: Will my hearing aids help in the presence of distracting background noise?

Fact: Understanding, especially in a noisy environ­ment, will vary depending on each individual’s hearingloss. Overall benefit may depend on proper fit, frequency of use, auditory rehabilitation, the severity of hearing loss, and on the accuracy of the patient evaluation.

5. Myth: When someone is hearing impaired, that just means that sounds are not loud enough.

Fact: That’s just part of it, Perhaps that person may have trouble hearing in crowds or in group conversations. Perhaps they hear but don’t always understand what’s being said. Words may seem to be mumbled or words just run together. These are but a few of the symptoms.

6. Myth: Hearing aids are large and unsightly. Most people therefore don't want to wear them.

Fact: Most people aren’t aware of the latest technological advances that have been made in hearing aids. For many, “in-the-ear” hearing aids exist and these aids are amazingly small and discreet. They’re so technically advanced that they’ve made most old-fashioned hearing aids obsolete.

7. Myth: Wearing a hearing aid is a sign you're getting old.

Fact: Although hearing impairments are common in older adults, many middle age and younger people are affected as well. There are many determining factors beyond just age. Remember, a hearing loss is more noticeable than a hearing aid.

8. Myth: I’ve heard that my type of hearing loss can’t be helped.

Fact: In most cases, nerve deafness can be helped through amplification. Now there is hope for those who have been told they couldn’t be helped.

9. Myth: It's too expensive to get a really good hearing aid.

Fact: The very best hearing aids available are well within the reach of most people. Any way you look at it, a hearing aid could be the best investment you can make.

10. Myth: Hearing tests are expensive and inconvenient.

Fact: Not so. Talk to me for details.

The effect of a hearing impairment is subtle, yet devastating. Some are not even aware of it. Tragically, only a fraction of those do something about it.

Normal sound perception is a vitally important factor in our lives. Yet, all too often it’s taken for granted. Our listening environment is shaped by a sound in a complex ever-present background, much of which is beneath our awareness.

On a subconscious level, these sounds provide us with a true sense of participation and security in the world. Overtly, there are signals of danger and those that help us to communicate.

While millions in the world are hearing impaired, most people are burdened with miscon­ceptions about their hearing and about what hearing aids can do to help.

Myths are passed around and prevent people from getting the facts.

Courtesy: Blue Bell Hearing Aid Center, Inc.