Sometime back in the 1950Õs, it was embarrassing to wear glasses. For that reason, kids and adults alike would pretend that everything was fine, even when they couldn't see five feet in front of them. There's been quite a shift in social acceptance since then, and glasses are now considered fashionable. Designers offer frames that are so trendy that the buying public opts to wear them with clear glass if a prescription is not needed.
This is not the case with hearing aids, as they still carry a social stigma. In fact, less than 50% of people that need hearing correction will seek help. The number of people with hearing loss is growing, and most over 40% are under the age of sixty-five. It's not an affliction of the aged anymore. We live in a society where louder is better, and that prolonged loud noise has been the cause of most of our hearing loss. It's a gradual condition, and often we aren't even aware of the difference until a friend or loved one calls attention to it.
Once you're aware of your hearing loss, it's important to make an appointment with an audiologist, or hearing specialist, to rule out any causes that are correctable. It's possible that a tumor, earwax buildup, or an infection could be the cause of your hearing loss. Your family doctor is the best place to get a referral for an audiologist.
If a hearing aid is prescribed, you have several types of devices from which to choose. Some are nearly invisible, and sit completely in the ear canal. They're less likely to pick up wind noise, and they're the easiest to use with a telephone.
There's also a slightly larger one that doesnÕt sit as deeply in the ear canal, but is still nearly invisible. They're useful for patients with mild to moderate hearing loss, and they're also excellent for use with a phone.
The half-shell hearing aid sits in the bowl shape of the ear, and is appropriate for mile to moderately severe hearing loss. It's a bit larger and more easily detected, but it's also easier to control. If you're in need of a full shell or a behind the ear hearing aid, then youÕve probably been aware of your hearing loss for a while. These are visible, and beneficial to patients with severe hearing loss.
Be wary of any hearing aids that claim to restore hearing to normal, because there are none that will be capable of this. If a hearing aid is prescribed, be sure that you have a trial period, so that you can adapt to the feel of the device and the changes in your hearing. You must give yourself plenty of time to grow accustomed to your new hearing device. They can't return hearing to normal, but will instead amplify sounds and reduce background noise. It's not likely that your hearing aid will be bulky, but getting used to the feel of a foreign object can take some getting used to. Wearing a hearing aid on a regular basis can greatly increase the quality of your life.
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