At Premier Audiology and Hearing Aid Center, we’ve been
treating patients experiencing hearing disorders for decades. In that time,
we’ve heard just about every misconception about hearing loss and hearing aids imaginable. In an effort to keep our
community educated about hearing health, we’ve debunked some of the most common
hearing loss myths.
1. My primary care provider would tell me if I
have hearing loss. Your primary doctor is looking at your health from a
more generalized perspective and may not make a point to examine your hearing
unless it is requested of them. Additionally,
a thorough hearing test is required to properly diagnose a hearing loss. These
tests must be performed by a hearing heath specialist.
2. My hearing loss isn’t severe enough for a
hearing aid. Many of the patients we’ve worked with have been hesitant to
treat hearing loss since they can still hear “most of the time.” However,
hearing loss is marked by the gradual loss of certain frequencies. When left
untreated, hearing loss can progress from mild to severe. Hearing aids help
preserve your hearing by stimulating nerves in the ear.
3. I’m not old enough to have a hearing loss.
Hearing loss affects approximately 20% of Americans, ranging from young
children to the elderly. In fact, 65% of individuals with hearing loss are
younger than 65 years old.
4. I can still hear well in one ear, so I’m
okay. Since hearing loss tends to occur slowly over time, it can be
difficult for individuals to understand the extent of their loss. The brain also has funny ways of
compensating for the hearing loss, making it more difficult to determine the
true degree of hearing loss without a professional diagnosis. Only regular
hearing tests will provide an accurate indicator of your auditory capabilities.
5. Hearing aids won’t help with my tinnitus.
Certain hearing devices are designed to manage tinnitus symptoms through sound
therapy and personalized amplification settings.