Wearing a hearing aid should be as unremarkable as wearing glasses

Post on 25th January 2016

It’s an age-old problem, but deterioration in the quality of our hearing is as inevitable as our eyesight.

So why is there still such a stigma associated with wearing a hearing aid, compared to that of spectacles? Especially as hearing aid technology has advanced so much that no one need know you were wearing one.

It’s estimated that four million people in the UK who suffer from some degree of hearing loss and could benefit from wearing a hearing aid, don’t.

Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care hearing aid audiologist Stuart Spencer said: “There are still many outdated images of wearing a hearing aid, which include them being uncomfortable and ugly, to symbolising old age. For many of us, we don’t want to admit our advancing years and a hearing aid is the line that we just don’t want to cross.

“However, technology has marched on and today’s hearing aids, even compared to a decade ago, are much smaller and easier to wear. Using digital technology, they are also much more effective and can, in fact, really help boost confidence, especially in social situations.”

There are many reasons people who could benefit from wearing a hearing aid should do so. Research shows the earlier people adopt hearing aid technology, the better their hearing will be in the long-term. Left unstimulated, hearing will simply deteriorate and once it has gone, there is no going back. In fact, there is growing evidence of a link between hearing loss and dementia.

Stuart added: “Hearing loss can be very isolating and cause all sorts of social issues from depression to anxiety and loneliness. Simple and discrete to wear, hearing aids are designed to help you hear everyday sounds, which in turn builds confidence when out and about and socialising with friends and family.

“I find those customers who had strong feelings against adopting a hearing aid, once persuaded to have a go, have never looked back. In fact, they become the biggest advocates.”

If you think you may have a problem with your hearing and would like some initial advice, then visit our home page to find your nearest Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care branch.