Hearing is one of our most important and cherished senses, and when it begins to fade, it can be an incredibly daunting experience. But hearing loss is common, particularly as we age.
According to the NHS, it’s estimated that around one in six people in the UK will experience some degree of hearing impairment or deafness in their life. And it’s also believed that 30-35% of those over 65 will experience gradual, age-related hearing loss (known as presbycusis). Many people don’t even realise they’re experiencing hearing loss because it happens so slowly.
The good news is that hearing aids and their technology can make a huge difference – not just by helping hearing, but by restoring confidence too. However, the many myths and misconceptions surrounding hearing aids may be holding people back from seeking help, so it’s important to separate fact from fiction.
So, if you’d like to know more about hearing aids, let’s dive right in.
Here are five myths about hearing aids debunked.
Myth one – hearing aids are bulky and unattractive
Another widespread misconception is that hearing aids are large, noticeable, bulky, and unattractive. But, in 2024, this isn’t the case. Modern hearing aids have undergone transformational changes in design, and today they’re small, sleek, and, often, virtually invisible.
Hearing aid brands understand the correlation between hearing aid aesthetics and comfort, and the likelihood of people buying and wearing them, and have spent time developing devices that fit neatly inside the ear canal. Not only are these far more discreet, but they’re also technologically advanced, usually featuring wireless connectivity and smartphone integration.
Plus, brands have also recognised the importance of personalisation. Now, you can often customise your devices to your taste preferences, hair colour, or skin tone, allowing you to find a style that suits you and is less noticeable in social settings.
Myth two – hearing aids are expensive
Many people put off considering hearing aids because they believe they’re not affordable – but this isn’t necessarily true. Hearing aids are sold at a wide range of prices, and if you can’t afford to pay for one yourself, the NHS loans hearing aids to people free of charge and provides free batteries, servicing, and repairs.
The type of hearing aids available through the NHS is usually a standard design with a fixed range of technology, so if you want more choice of designs and technology, you’ll need to consider buying them privately. But, given how most people wear hearing aids for 12-15 hours most days, the cost per day works out quite minimal – especially considering the joy of better hearing.
Myth three – you only need hearing aids if you’re experiencing profound hearing loss
This is another myth – and potentially a harmful one. Some people believe that the only drawback of delaying treatment is struggling to hear properly at that time, but it’s important to address hearing loss as early as possible, to avoid irreversible damage.
Untreated hearing loss means that less sound is being sent to the auditory context. This means the ‘tuning in’ centre in our brain gets less practised at deciphering speech sounds and filtering out background noise – making it more difficult to focus on speech. Untreated hearing loss can also lead to conditions like musical ear syndrome, where a person hears sounds that aren’t there, as the brain attempts to ‘fill in the gaps’ caused by hearing loss.
Other studies suggest that hearing loss is linked to an increased risk of loneliness and isolation. When people begin to struggle to interact with others, they often start avoiding social situations. Even more worryingly, social isolation is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety, and dementia, and can increase the risk of premature death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
New NHS research into the correlation between hearing loss and dementia also suggests that the risk of developing dementia nearly doubles if you have untreated mild hearing loss. If you have untreated moderate hearing loss, the risk of dementia triples; and if you have severe untreated hearing loss, you’re five times more at risk of getting dementia.
Remember that hearing loss is usually progressive and, by the time you’ve noticed it, the chances are, you would probably already benefit from a hearing aid. Hearing aids are designed to help people with all different degrees of hearing loss. So, if you think you might be experiencing hearing loss, no matter how mild, it’s better to intervene as early as possible, which starts with booking a hearing test.
Myth four – hearing aids are high-maintenance
And, finally, if you’re concerned that hearing aids are high maintenance, you’ll be pleased to know that’s another myth.
While maintaining your hearing aids is important for optimal performance, it isn’t a long or difficult process. Cleaning your hearing aids and replacing the batteries are usually the main maintenance tasks, but cleaning kits and rechargeable devices make this quicker and easier.
Plus, good quality hearing aids can last a long time when they’re properly maintained. If you’re unsure how to properly care for your hearing aids, there are kinds of useful resources about hearing aid maintenance and cleaning.
Myth five – hearing aids are only for the elderly
One of the most common misconceptions about hearing aids is that they’re almost exclusively for older adults. But hearing loss doesn’t discriminate, and some people have worn hearing aids since they were babies.
Plus, recent studies suggest that the prevalence of hearing loss among young people is on the rise. According to the World Health Organisation, some 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss, which is largely attributed to prolonged exposure to loud environments, whether that’s nightclubs and bars, or listening to personal audio devices at high volumes.
Having said that, age is the most common cause of hearing loss. Most people begin to experience small amounts of hearing loss from around 40 years old, and this increases with age. By 80, most people have significant hearing problems (NHS).
Final thoughts…
The thought of losing your hearing can be daunting, so, understandably, many people view getting a hearing aid through a negative lens – but they can make a world of difference to your well-being.
Most customers who delayed using technology say they wish they hadn’t, as they now realise what they were missing. Plus, ideas that hearing aids are clumsy, overly expensive, or only for the elderly couldn’t be more untrue.
If you’re experiencing hearing loss, it’s incredibly important not to delay seeking help. As we’ve seen, the right hearing aid design and technology can not only transform your life, boost confidence, and keep your relationships alive and healthy, but it can also go a long way in protecting both your physical and mental health.
In fact, a recent study by the British and Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers also found that 95% of UK respondents reported that since wearing a hearing aid, they’d seen an improvement in their social lives, personal and professional relationships, confidence, sense of independence, and – of course – ability to communicate.
Do you have hearing aids? Or will you be booking a free hearing test? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
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