7 Reasons to Get Hearing Aids

FACTS:

Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and irreversible. In 90 to 95% of adult hearing losses there is no medical management. Hearing aid intervention is the most desirable intervention to permanent hearing losses.

The 2 most common causes of sensorineural hearing losses are: (i) aging process and (ii) noise exposure.
Hearing loss often goes unnoticed, yet it is the most common sensory impairment in adults over the age of 65, affecting more than 30% of Canadians in the senior age group.

Hearing loss is the fastest growing and one of the most prevalent chronic conditions facing Canadians today. According to the Hearing Foundation of Canada (2011): “… hearing loss is a health crisis in the making….”

7 Common Reasons to Get Hearing Aids

1. Untreated hearing loss can lead to communication difficulties. A person cannot hear or can hear but cannot understand what is being said. Then he/she blames others for mumbling or are being told by others that the TV is on too loud. Hearing loss affects the whole family!

2. Untreated hearing loss can lead to further loss of hearing. The increased loss is not in the loudness of sounds but in the clarity of sounds resulting in poor speech recognition. In other words, speech recognition scores become poorer and poorer if not wearing hearing aids.

3. Untreated hearing loss can lead to development of tinnitus. The auditory compensation mechanism kicks in because the brain is starving for auditory information. Hence the person hears its own bodily hum which is perceived as tinnitus.

4. Untreated hearing loss can lead to psychological problems. Frustration, anger, social withdrawal, isolation, depression, paranoia, anxiety.

5. Untreated hearing loss can lead to memory loss. There is growing evidence that untreated hearing loss leads to memory failure. The main theory is because the brain is so occupied filling in the missing pieces of auditory information that it is unable to convert the information into short term memory.

6. Untreated hearing loss has been shown to be associated with dementia. Recent research has looked at hearing loss involvement with dementia. “The risk of incident dementia became evident for hearing loss greater than 25 dB, and thereafter increased log linearly with more severe loss…” Threshold of 25 dB begins to impair verbal communication. Hearing loss, which is highly prevalent in older persons, and that unfortunately often remains untreated, was strongly associated with incident dementia leading to possible “… over diagnosis of dementia…”. There is an obvious need to identify and fit the elderly with hearing aids as soon as possible. Although more research is required, the authors stated:”…hearing loss may be causally related to dementia, possibly through exhaustion of cognitive reserve, social isolation, environmental differentiation, or a combination of these pathways.” (Arch Neurol. 2011;68(2):214-220. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2010.362.)

7. Untreated hearing loss can make it more difficult to cope with hearing aids. For some, treatment is too late. Some wait too long and are unable to cope and manage with the devices themselves; others cannot cope or manage hearing with the devices because the brain is unable to relearn to hear high frequency sounds or to filter unwanted sounds.

Who should be treated for sensorineural hearing loss?

25 dB or more at pure tone thresholds begins to impair verbal communication and therefore should be seriously considered to be Hearing Aid candidates.

Treatment should not only be decided on degree of hearing loss alone. Some people have very high demands on their hearing. (Ex. social gatherings, work meetings).

Lifestyle demands on hearing are key factors in determining what type of amplification is required.

Which Hearing Aids should be fitted?

Monaural vs. binaural issues are no longer debated as it is clear-cut that two hearing aids are better than one!

Main factors for deciding model/style, level of technology, etc. depends on: Type and degree of hearing loss

Ear canal, health and shape, Lifestyle (i.e. demands placed on hearing), Cognitive abilities, Physical capabilities, Cosmetic issues, Financial budget

See your Audiologist and Hearing Instrument Specialist today!