The hearing aid: Active life through active hearing

Although the hearing aid is an aid comparable to glasses, many hearing-impaired people initially reject the use of a hearing aid. Yet the advantages cannot be dismissed out of hand.

Why is the hearing aid rejected at the beginning?

Many hearing-impaired people are ashamed of their disability. They would consider glasses as a fashion accessory, but against a hearing device, they bring a lot of prejudices into the conversation from the beginning. Younger people shy away from hearing aids because they are visually distracting. They are often perceived as large and clunky. Older people also fear that they will not be able to cope with the hearing aid and its technology. They also believe that a hearing aid is only necessary in cases of extreme hearing loss.

Another prejudice concerns the price. Many people think that hearing aids are prohibitively expensive. They feel that a consultation with a hearing aid provider is a waste of time and unnecessary. The most classic prejudice is the assumption that a hearing aid always whistles and makes everything seem too loud. Every advantage listed is dismissed.

What to do if the hearing aid is rejected?

If you encounter such a dusty prejudice in your environment on the subject of hearing aids, encourage a visit to a hearing care professional. With his professional advice, he can dispel any prejudice. In addition, the hearing impaired person will learn here that hearing aids offer a real plus in quality of life and that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Advantage versus prejudice

Wearing a hearing aid today is much more discreet than it was just a few years ago. Mini behind-the-ear hearing aids and almost invisible in-the-ear hearing aids make earlier associations with the “beige prosthesis” a thing of the past. Today’s hearing aids are small, discreet, and easy to use. And if you like, you can even opt for a stylish device in a variety of colors.

Like eyeglasses, which can compensate for even the smallest visual deficiencies in the case of nearsightedness and farsightedness, a hearing aid helps you to understand subtleties in everyday life again. Even a slight hearing loss should prompt you to visit the specialist.

You will quickly be able to follow a conversation in a group or in a room with a lot of background noise again. If you think hearing loss has something to do with getting old, you’re wrong. Two-thirds of hearing impaired people are younger than 64. Listening to music too loudly through headphones and exposure to noise sources in everyday life damage hearing even at a young age.

Depending on the equipment, hearing aids are now available in numerous price categories. In addition, every health insurance company covers a portion of the costs. A major advantage. Subsidies of several hundred euros per individual device are possible.

However, in order to be able to reproduce spatial hearing as far as possible, you should always use two hearing aids right from the start. Hearing aids of older design whistle, it is true. The advantage of modern devices is that they are far better configured. Nowadays, every device is equipped with a feedback manager. This prevents annoying whistling.

Furthermore, modern devices can be adjusted very precisely. Today, all hearing aids can be adjusted to the respective hearing impairment and to numerous typical ambient noises. In some cases, this is even done automatically or by remote control. Modern hearing aids are very comfortable.

The new attitude to life with a hearing aid

You will receive professional and manufacturer-independent advice from a hearing care professional. There are also specialist stores in your area that have joined the association of hearing acousticians. If you have the feeling that you do not understand your environment correctly or third parties complain, for example, about the television set being too loud, it is time for a hearing test. The member companies directly at your location offer these free of charge and without obligation.

The highly trained acousticians will advise you after the hearing test whether you need a hearing aid. If hearing aids are necessary, the ENT physician issues a hearing aid prescription. With this, you can return to the hearing care professional to be fitted with hearing systems.

The consultation with the acoustician will determine which system is best suited for you and which one fits your individual hearing profile. After the hearing consultation, you can take advantage of additional services. For example, hearing aids can be tried out, any fine adjustments can be made, and continuous checks can be carried out. Consultations on the care and operation of the heating systems are also included in the service.