As we grow older, we face a number of health complications, including vision loss and you guess it, hearing loss. Due to our aging muscles, some older adults may find it increasingly challenging to hear and listen well, which can bring several issues that impede their quality of life. Despite hearing loss being quite a common health problem faced by many older adults, it is rather surprising that there are many myths surrounding hearing loss. These myths can be damaging to an individual as they are inaccurate information that have been passed around, heard casually, and miscommunicated by many people. At times, people may even assume about these myths and regard them as truths. As such, to prevent these myths from constantly being spread around, we have listed down a few popular myths about hearing loss.
Natural Part of Aging and Should Be Ignored
Yes, hearing loss can be attributed to being a natural part of aging, but that does not mean that you should ignore it and simply live with it till you grow older. The thing about hearing loss is that it is a gradual process, which means that you’re likely to notice it when you’re younger. In such cases, if you ever suspect or feel that your hearing is getting weaker over time, it’s best to quickly consult a doctor or medical professional. Early intervention has the capability to reduce the negative effects and may even correct the issue early on. While we understand that acknowledging the presence of the issue can be challenging and uncomfortable for many people, this process is absolutely necessary to allow you to have a better quality of life in the future.
Hearing Aids Restore Hearing
The unfortunate truth is that hearing aids cannot restore hearing. Nothing can restore hearing as it’s pretty much impossible to do so. However, hearing aids still play an extremely important role in allowing an individual to continue living independently as it allows them to experience missing sounds that they cannot hear if they were not wearing them. As such, you should not look at hearing aids as something of a compensation but instead as a new way to hear the things around you.
Hearing Loss Only Affects Hearing
This is by far the most cruel myth as, despite its name, hearing loss can also impact other things as well, such as your quality of life. As hearing loss prevents you from listening to conversations well, it can lead to awkward meetings with other people and you may even look unsociable if you aren’t able to carry on conversations. This is why many people who suffer from hearing loss prefer to be by themselves, which can lead to social isolation and loneliness. In such cases, poor mental health like depression and anxiety can arise, preventing you from mingling around and having the confidence to socialize. Therefore, this myth should be corrected in order to encourage people to seek treatment as soon as possible.
