Hearing

5 Common Hearing Loss Myths, Busted!

Image by NCVO LondonHearing loss is a difficult and delicate subject at the best of times and it's certainly ...

Hearing loss is a difficult and delicate subject at the best of times and it’s certainly not helped by myths. There are a number of myths about deafness which can cause confusion and upset for those who either have hearing loss, know someone who does, or has concerns that they might be experiencing a problem. Here are five of the most common hearing loss myths – busted!

1. Hearing aids cure hearing loss

BUSTED! As ASHA – the American Speech Language Hearing Association – state on their website hearing aids do not restore hearing to normal, just as prescription glasses don’t make vision 20/20 again. What hearing aids do is provide improvement and benefit the user by significantly improving their quality of life.

2. Hearing loss is an age thing

BUSTED! Although age-related hearing loss is the most common form of hearing loss, and research indicates that around a quarter of people aged between 65 and 75 will suffer problems as a result of age, deafness isn’t confined to the elderly. Many people begin to suffer a decrease in the quality of their hearing in their 30s and 40s – and there are also increasing concerns about the hearing health of the younger generation as they’re exposed to loud music at gigs, in nightclubs, and by listening to personal stereos. In the USA, for example, there are nearly six million people aged between 18 and 44 with hearing loss.

3. One hearing aid is as good as two

BUSTED! Amid increasing reports – such as this one published by the Daily Mail – that NHS budget cuts mean millions of patients may only get one hearing aid instead of two, let’s clear this myth up right now. Having just one aid instead of two puts the unaided ear at risk of deterioration, and it may not recover. Wearing two aids allows both the units to work together for the benefit of the wearer.

4. Hearing problems are obvious

BUSTED! While some instances of hearing loss can be immediate – standing too close to a sudden, extremely loud noise, like an explosion – most are not. Hearing loss can be gradual, and occur almost undetected over a period of time. The signs might be very subtle – slightly increasing volume on the TV, for example, or asking someone to repeat themselves more often than usual. Schedule in regular tests to allow a professional audiologist to make the assessments you are not qualified for.

5. Shouting at a deaf person helps them to hear better

BUSTED! No, that couldn’t be further from the truth. This will only make the person doing the shouting look silly, and embarrass the person with hearing loss. In fact, it can make things worse, because shouting distorts voices and the shape of the mouth, which makes it harder for a deaf person to lip read.

This article was written by Bethany Taylor, a freelance writer for Hidden Hearing who are experts in hearing loss. – See more at: https://seniorcare2017.wpengine.com/blog_information/15-04-10/5_Common_Hearing_Loss_Myths_Busted.aspx#sthash.cCphNYGL.dpuf