According to the CDC, 7.1% of U.S. adults age 45 and older use a hearing aid. Have you thought about getting hearing aids yourself?
If you've started to experience the effects of hearing loss, a hearing aid can transform your quality of life. The right one can provide excellent surround sound, allowing you to hear everyday sounds more clearly and naturally.
Still not sure they're the best solution for you? Today, we're sharing some of the top benefits of hearing aids and how to find the best one for your needs.
1. Improve Relationships
When your day-to-day conversations are strained, it can take a toll on your relationships. This applies to everyone you come into contact with, from your co-workers and friends to your spouse and children.
With untreated hearing loss, you may only hear small snippets of each conversation. Constantly asking for the speaker to repeat themselves and still misunderstanding can leave you feeling frustrated and embarrassed. It can also lead to mental and physical fatigue.
When you're fitted for hearing aids, those dialogues will suddenly seem much easier. You'll hear the entire story, and you'll be able to keep pace with the conversation for its duration. This can help you avoid uncomfortable and unnerving moments, leading to deeper and more meaningful conversations -- and connections.
2. Optimize Your Overall Health
Did you know that hearing issues can affect more than just your ears? One 2020 study of more than 20,000 older adults found that individuals with severe hearing loss who didn't wear hearing aids were less likely to leave home or exercise regularly. They were also more likely to report feelings of depression and say they were in poor overall health.
On the other hand, people who did wear hearing aids did not make the same claims, even if their hearing loss was severe. Another 2019 study found that individuals who wore hearing aids experienced the following health benefits:
- Lowered their risk of dementia by 18%
- Lowered their risk of a fall-related injury by 13%
- Lowered their risk of developing anxiety or depression by 11%
- This isn't to say that hearing aids alone will solve all of your health-related issues. However, this is an important first step in optimizing your well-being and reducing your risk of a hearing-related injury down the road.
3. Increase Your Independence
If you have untreated hearing loss, even a routine trip to the grocery store can turn into an ordeal. You may have to ask multiple times for the items you need, or strain to communicate with the cashier. The same issues may occur when ordering at a restaurant, visiting a bookstore, or simply going out with friends.
With the right pair of hearing aids, you can navigate much more easily. You'll be able to hear more of the world around you, which makes interactions enjoyable, not stressful. As a result, you may feel more empowered to be independent and venture out on your own.
4. Improve Your Job Performance
Imagine this scenario: You're at work and you miss half of an important conversation because you couldn't hear what your supervisor said. As a result, you complete the project only halfway.
This can result in immediate consequences and could even harm your potential for future promotions. While an employer cannot legally refuse to hire you due to your hearing loss, it does make it more difficult to perform up to the expected standards.
When you can clearly hear everyone speaking, it's easier to keep pace and participate in meetings. You can also rest assured that you'll understand your assignments in full. This helps you focus more intently on work and could even help you grow your income as you step into new roles and responsibilities.
5. Boost Your Confidence
Has hearing impairment affected your confidence and self-esteem? When you're feeling down about yourself, it can feel impossible to do things you once enjoyed. Even your favorite hobbies, such as playing music or exercising, may suddenly seem out of reach because they require you to listen to the world around you.
With a pair of hearing aids, that self-assurance can come gently back. Connections will feel easier and everyday life will become more enjoyable.
6. Reduce Tinnitus Symptoms
Tinnitus is that bothersome buzzing or ringing that most people experience in their ears at some point during their lifetime. Studies show that the condition affects about 750 million people around the world.
Researchers are still digging into the specific reasons why, but they believe that people with hearing loss tend to experience the effects of tinnitus more severely than others. This may be because, with the rest of the world quieter around you, that buzzing noise sounds excessively loud.
Many people have found that wearing a hearing aid significantly reduces those symptoms.
7. Increase Your Energy
When you have to strain to hear others talk, it can take a toll on your mind. You're constantly trying to figure out what they're saying, and make sense of their mumbling.
As a result, you may find that you're flat-out exhausted at the end of the day. Your brain has been doing exercises for hours, and all you want to do is rest. Wearing a hearing aid gives your mind the chance to slow down and recharge.
8. Maintain Your Safety
When your hearing is optimized, it's easier to stay safe when you're out and about. For instance, you can listen for the sound of oncoming traffic before you cross the road.
As your hearing starts to go, everyday scenarios that once seemed completely safe can suddenly become anything but. In fact, some can become exceedingly dangerous. However, if you aren't aware of or actively treating your condition, you may presume that those situations are fine.
With hearing aids, you can avoid this loss of awareness. This can help you make smarter choices to keep yourself and those around you safe.
Reap the Benefits of Hearing Aids
Now that you know a few of the top benefits of hearing aids, are you ready to find a pair that fits you? If so, we're here to help.
At Beltone Hearing Care, we offer a variety of custom-made hearing aid solutions that combine excellent sound quality and long-lasting rechargeability with a design that's comfortable enough for all-day wear. We also offer a range of services, including professional screenings, hearing aid programming, and more.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and let's get started.