Peter studied hearing aid fitting at the world headquarters of Starkey Labs. He was able to have hands on training with the company’s founder, Bill Austin. He has also undergone advanced training in the smallest, nearly invisible style hearing aids, and has expanded his education by traveling to Denmark to learn directly from European hearing aid manufacturers. He continues to attend conferences and training seminars to stay current on the rapidly evolving world of hearing aid technology.
Latest posts by Peter Lucier, HIS (see all)
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Perhaps you are finding you have to ask people to repeat themselves more than ever before? Do the people around you complain that you keep the TV or radio turned up too loudly to hear? These are often the first signs that you are developing a serious case of hearing loss. While hearing loss is irreversible, hearing aids can help you to hear the sounds you may have lost.
By amplifying the world around you and sending the information directly to your ears, hearing aids can make a huge difference. These high tech devices have been proven time and time again to help prevent dangerous side effects of hearing loss, including depression, cognitive decline and higher risk of accidents. Even so, many still resist taking the steps to better hearing. In this article we will explore some of the common excuses people make for not treating your hearing loss and how to get past them so you can get the help you need.
“I don’t have a problem”
Because hearing loss often develops slowly over time it is difficult to realize how acute your loss has become. While your family members might complain that you can’t hear them or you believe it is your family who doesn’t speak clearly, it is important to stop and listen to those closest to you. There may not be a problem but the only way to know for sure is to set up a hearing test. Once you have the results of your hearing test you can know for sure the extent of your hearing.
“It’s not that bad”
Even if you do acknowledge your hearing loss you may believe it is not a serious matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is often subtle tones and consonants that go first with hearing. Your brain struggles to process sound information when these small details start to vanish. This can lead to fatigue and is the start of many dangerous side effects of hearing loss including depression, anxiety, insomnia, self isolation and more.
“I’m too young to have hearing loss”
While age related hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss affecting 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 it is not the only reason you may develop hearing loss. Noise induced hearing loss can happen due to excessive noise exposure during recreation or at work over time. It can also happen very quickly if exposed to a loud short blast at close range such as a firework or gunshot. It is important to wear hearing protection whenever you believe you might be exposed to loud noise.
“Hearing aids are a hassle”
Hearing aids are hard to get used to. Often after years of compromised hearing, getting used to the sound of birds chirping and air conditioner’s buzzing may be a shock. Your own voice may sound strange to you and sounds can be abrasive as you get used to your new devices. It is important to give them a chance and not to give up. If you experience feedback or buzzing we can walk you through the process of adjusting your new hearing aids so you can get the most out of them.
“They are too expensive”
Hearing aids are an important investment but the price tag for these devices that can often feel daunting. It is helpful to remember that healthy hearing is an essential part of a healthy mind and body. Untreated hearing loss can lead to a higher risk of falls and accidents as you’re less aware of your surroundings and the location of sound. Ignoring this condition can also lead to depression and cognitive impairment, including dementia. When you weigh out the options between the risks to your health and the investment of hearing aids, healthy hearing may seem priceless.
At our practice, all of our hearing aids include required testing, fitting, customized programming, and follow-up services, as well as at least a 1 to 3 year warranty which covers loss, damage, and repair so you can rest assured that your investment is protected. We also offer a 90 day money back guarantee so you can try hearing aids and experience how they can improve your life stress free.