If I had a hearing loss, I certainly would know about it.

Not necessarily. Often a hearing loss develops slowly and subtly. Our own built-in defences may make it difficult for us to determine whether we have a hearing loss or not. Hearing loss is usually gradual in onset and we compensate by lip reading and asking others to repeat themselves. Many times we adjust and get used to it as it is happening to us. Amazingly, people usually wait about 7 years before doing something about their hearing loss. A simple hearing test would determine if a hearing loss exists and to what degree.

Everyone mumbles when they talk to me.

Some people do mumble. But if you think ALL people mumble then it's time to accept that it’s your hearing and not everyone else's mumbling. The complaint of people mumbling is one of the most common complaints of people with hearing loss.

When someone is hearing impaired, that just means sounds aren't loud enough.

That's just part of it. Perhaps that person may have trouble hearing in crowds or in group conversations. Perhaps they hear but don't always understand what is being said. Words may seem to be jumbled or just run together. These are but a few symptoms.

I've heard that my type of hearing loss can't be helped.

Nearly 95% of individuals with hearing loss can be helped through amplification. Now there is hope for those who have been told they couldn't be helped. New technologies emerge every year, so you may now be able to be helped when just a few years ago you were told you couldn't. One of the most significant changes has been the ability of people with high frequency hearing loss to use open-fit hearing aids. These devices are very tiny, fit on top of the ear, and provide a clear transparent type of amplification to make speech clearer.

If I had a hearing loss, my physician would have told me.

This may not be the case. Unfortunately, very few physicians routinely screen for hearing loss during a physical or ask their patients about it. And since most visits are in the quiet of an office visit, it may be virtually impossible for your doctor to recognize your difficulty with hearing.

Hearing aids will restore my hearing to normal.

Hearing aids are designed to aid a person's hearing that they still have intact. It is crucial to have realistic expectations as to what hearing aids can and cannot accomplish. Hearing aids cannot restore hearing nor can they cure your hearing problem. They can, however, help you get the most out of what you have remaining and are extremely successful at restoring a person’s communication ability. Hearing aids may need to be supplemented by auditory training and there are some newer computer based home-programs that can be used.

Hearing aids totally eliminate distracting background noise

Understanding speech in a noisy environment has always been difficult for people. This is even more pronounced when you have hearing loss. How much difficulty will vary depending upon each individual's hearing loss and the hearing aids being used. Overall benefit may depend on proper fit, frequency of use, type of digital processing, use of directional microphones, auditory rehabilitation, the severity of the loss, and the accuracy of the patient evaluation. With this in mind, there are definitely ways to make background noise more tolerable, but it is impossible to eliminate it.

Hearing aids are large and ugly.

Most people therefore don't want to wear them. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Most people aren't aware of the latest technological advances that have been made in hearing aids. For many people, the mini open-fit hearing aids blend in discreetly with hair and skin colour and are appropriate for most hearing loss. They're also so technically advanced that for many first-time users, they never have to touch or adjust the hearing aids once they are worn.

Wearing a hearing aid is a sign you're getting old.

Although hearing loss is more common in older adults, many middle age and younger people are affected as well. There are many determining factors beyond just age. Remember, the behaviours of someone with hearing loss are more noticeable than wearing a hearing aid.

Hearing aids are just too expensive.

Hearing aids can help restore your ability to watch TV, be more productive at work, help with your personal relationships, enjoy the outdoors, and generally improve quality of life. When it comes to that, can you really put a price on enjoying life?

Hearing Health Magazine
Magazine for people experiencing hearing impariment and deafness, tinnitus, and other ear disorders.
www.drf.org/magazine

Silent News
Newspaper for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Includes deaf events calendar, deaf chat network, and deaf classifieds and personals.
www.silentnews.org