Myths about hearing loss can be misleading and can discourage people from seeking treatment.
Here are 5 myths about hearing loss…
1. Hearing loss only affects the elderly.
Hearing loss not only affects the elderly. In fact, five out of every 1,000 newborns born each year in the United States suffer from hearing loss. Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors including medication, noisy work environments/hobbies, diseases or genetics.
2. My doctor will monitor my hearing.
Don’t rely on your doctor to investigate your hearing health. Make sure you detect changes in your hearing that are sudden or obvious and seek treatment. Don’t wait! You might also consider getting a baseline hearing exam so you can measure your any changes in your hearing in the future. Hearing health professionals can administer hearing tests, evaluate loss and recommend treatment.
3. I only have bad hearing in one ear, so I don’t need treatment.
Hearing loss in one ear affects your ability to determine where sounds are coming from and makes it harder to understand speech in loud environments. Your brain relies on input from both ears, so it’s important to seek treatment even if you think it is single-sided.
4. A hearing aid will cure my hearing loss.
While hearing aids can significantly improve your ability to hear, they can’t restore your hearing to perfectly normal.
5. My hearing loss can’t be helped.
Most forms of hearing loss can be improved by hearing aids, surgery, medication or even earwax removal. So, if it’s been a few years since you’ve seen a hearing health professional, make an appointment today! Hearing loss is treatable.