This is the second of two articles that examine common myths about hearing aids.
Myth: When someone is hearing-impaired, that just means that sounds are not loud enough. If they would just ask people to speak up, wouldn’t they be able to function without a hearing aid?
Fact: Volume is just a small part of hearing loss. Some people have trouble hearing in crowds or in group conversations, and some cannot distinguish certain sounds. Words may seem mumbled or run together. A hearing aid can help solve these problems, making it easier to enjoy conversations again — and so much more.
Myth: Hearing aids whistle and make undesirable noise all the time.
Fact: While this occasionally occurs, it is most often a symptom of poorly fitted hearing aids or one that needs adjustment. Both problems are easily correctable.
Myth: Hearing aids will make a person’s hearing deteriorate faster.
Fact: Not true. Hearing aids simply bring the volume of sound to within a comfortable range. However exposure to loud environmental noise does damage your hearing. (So obviously hearing aids should never be programmed to amplify external sound loud enough to cause damage.) In fact, many hearing experts believe that hearing aids help preserve the ability to understand speech because they allow the sensory cells in the inner ear to stay active.
Myth: Earwax can’t cause hearing loss.
Fact: Earwax is an oily, fatty substance created to protect the ear canal. Everyone creates different amounts of wax. It is possible for the wax to partially or completely block the ear canal. This can result in (typically) a mild to moderate hearing loss, that once the wax is removed, the hearing is restored. A qualified audiologist can let you know if you have a wax buildup and how it can be removed.
Hopefully, people who can benefit from wearing hearing aids will not hesitate to do so because of such outdated and incorrect information.
For more information about hearing loss or available hearing aid technologies, contact Nola Aronson, M.A., Patrice Rifkind, Au.D. or Ginny Newman, Au.D. with Audiology Associates at 661-288-1400.