Why Hearing Loss is Even More Important as We Age

With all the responsibilities of taking care of an aging loved one, hearing is probably one of the last things we think about. Often we don’t realize the significance of hearing well. Even if we do recognize its importance, we often ignore it. That may be because hearing aids have a reputation for being a hassle and a waste of money. Read on, and maybe you will ask yourself if it’s time to re-think that!

One question we should be asking is, can hearing loss cause other problems? Recent clinical studies at Johns Hopkins proved that hearing loss increases the risk of dementia, depression, social isolation, and falls (with broken hips, arms and shoulders) by up to 500% (Eight Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Hearing). This is shocking information! It tells us that not only should we be doing something about our loved ones’ hearing, but our own as well. And the sooner the better. We just need to do so in a wise manner, so that our investment pays off.

When Hearing Aids Don’t Work Right 

First, remember that the reason hearing aids don’t “work right” is not the fault of the hearing aids. The problem is usually that they were not correctly prescribed and adjusted in the first place. National hearing aid stores often employ hearing instrument specialists (with an “HIS” after their name) with only high school diplomas and minimal training. On the other hand, a Doctor of Audiology has over eight years of academic training and clinical experience at a medical school. Conscientious audiologists conduct exams in a sound booth and use real-ear measurements on each and every patient. This ensures the prescribed hearing aids are customized to each patient’s individual needs. This is the gold standard for hearing care but is followed by only a small fraction of providers, including audiologists.

Hearing Aids are too Expensive 

Second, rid yourself of the notion that hearing aids are too expensive. If you knew you could spend the equivalent of a cup of coffee a day to protect yourself from cognitive decline and poor memory, wouldn’t you consider that a good investment? The fact is that hearing impairment is far more important than we ever thought, and is far more common that we might think. More than one in five people over the age of 18 in the United States have significant hearing loss.

A Plan and an Important Tip 

To ensure your loved ones maintain their hearing—and their health—as long as possible, visit an audiologist for a full audiometry exam at least every few years after the age of 55. Be sure to ask them if they conduct real-ear measurements on every patient. If they don’t, go to a different audiologist. Lastly, be sure to ask them if the hearing aids they sell are “locked” Locked hearing aids prevent you from getting service or care from a different provider. That’s unfair and something you want to avoid.

We now know the surprising answer to the question, “Will hearing loss cause other problems?” Armed with that information and knowledge about real-ear measurements, the difference between hearing instrument specialists and Doctors of Audiology, and locked hearing aids, you are ready to make decisions about your hearing health that will pay off in a big way no matter what your age. And remember, it’s ok to tune out the world . . . just make sure you’re doing it on purpose!