Myths About Your Hearing

1. Only a few people are truly hearing impaired. Chances are, neither I, nor those close to me, are affected.
The odds are that you or someone close to you has some degree of hearing impairment. In fact, an estimated 28 million Americans suffer from some form of hearing impairment.

2. If I had a hearing impairment, I would certainly know about it.
Not necessarily. Often a hearing impairment develops slowly and subtly. Our own built-in defenses may make it difficult for us to determine whether we don't hear well. We have ways of compensating for hearing loss without realizing it. A simple hearing evaluation can determine if an impairment exists.

3. Hearing aids can restore my hearing to normal.
Hearing aids are designed to enhance a person's hearing. However, hearing aids cannot restore human hearing, nor can they delay the progression of nerve damage. They are part of hearing rehabilitation.

4. Hearing aids can filter out distracting background noise.
Understanding, especially in a noisy environment, will vary depending upon each individual's hearing loss. Overall benefit will depend on proper fit, frequency of use, the severity of the hearing loss, and the accuracy of the patient's hearing evaluation.

5. When someone is hearing impaired, that just means that sounds aren't loud enough.
That's just part of it. The person may specifically have trouble hearing in crowds or in group conversations. Often times people hear but do not understand what's being said. Words may seem to be mumbled or run together. These are just a few of the symptoms.

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6. Hearing aids are large and unsightly which
is why most people don't want to wear them.
Many people aren't aware of the latest technological advances of hearing aids. "Completely-in-the-canal" (CIC) aids are available for many hearing losses, and these amazingly small hearing aids are so technologically advanced that they've made most old-fashioned hearing aids obsolete.

7. Wearing a hearing aid is a sign you are getting old.
Although hearing impairments are common in older adults, many middle-age and younger people - including former President Bill Clinton - are affected as well. There are many determining factors beyond just age. Remember a hearing loss is more noticeable than a hearing aid.

8. I have been told that my hearing loss cannot be helped.
In most cases, sensorineural hearing impairment can be helped through properly fitted amplification. Now there is hope for those who have been told they couldn't be helped. It is best to seek an audiologist's advice regarding your options.

9. It's too expensive to get a really good hearing aid.
The very best hearing aids available are well within the reach of most people. A hearing aid could be the best investment you can make for the quality of your life.


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