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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Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the U.S, and it can affect the quality of your life and relationships. About 48 million Americans have lost some hearing. Certain conditions, including age, illness, and genetics, may play a role in hearing loss. Modern life has added a host of ear-damaging elements to the list, including certain medications and plenty of sources of loud, ongoing noise. Unfortunately, people wait an average of seven years before getting hearing aids after noticing their hearing loss.
The stigma of hearing loss
Being hard of hearing poses many challenges for those who experience it, and it can greatly affect their everyday lives. Perceptions of shame surrounding hearing loss is often associated with old age, but people of all ages, even children, have to deal with the loss of hearing. Most people place great value in what others think of them, and it is this social concern that produces the stigma of hearing loss. If you suffer from hearing loss, the opinions of the people you’re close to such as your spouse, partner, parents, children, friends, and coworkers can also influence your decisions regarding your hearing health.
The challenges of living with hearing loss
Your hearing ability may contribute to how well you function in your daily life around relatives, friends and colleagues. It is of great importance to be aware of possible hearing limitations and seek treatment early on to deal effectively with any hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss may affect your social life, lower your quality of life and cause mental anguish.
Addressing the stigma
What many people don’t know is that hearing loss can affect anyone, not just the elderly. If left unaddressed a person’s hearing loss could be very detrimental to their self-esteem at home and in the work place. Someone with hearing loss can become distant from family and friends because they have trouble comprehending conversations, and others may even look down upon them. At work it can affect someone’s confidence and earning potential. To overcome social stigma, you must first be an advocate for yourself. Don’t be afraid to let others know about your hearing loss. Hiding the situation can make it worse because others may think you aren’t paying attention to conversations. Don’t be afraid to discuss your hearing loss with others.
Technological advances
Thanks to modern innovations in hearing technology today’s hearing aids are not the hearing aids your grandparents used. Modern day hearing aids are sleek subtle and make it easier to hear with background noise, to hear in auditorium or lecture hall settings and to maintain your pre-hearing aids lifestyle to its fullest. Whether you enjoy going out to the theater or love hiking, hearing aids have settings and features that make this possible. Additionally, settings and features like Bluetooth and telecoils help to make hearing aids a simple part of daily life.
Fight the Stigma
It’s never a bad idea to get a hearing test. At Hearing Aid Specialists of the Central Coast, we recommend getting a hearing test annually as hearing loss begins gradually and often people don’t realize how bad their hearing has become. As people are getting educated on the condition, more people are becoming accepting and conscious of hearing loss. Fight the stigma of hearing loss by getting your hearing checked regularly. If a hearing loss is detected don’t be afraid to share that you use hearing aids with others. The more open you are about your hearing loss the more comfortable society in general will be with this very common condition.
Hearing Aid Specialists of the Central Coast
Help others by helping yourself and make the leap to a life of improved relationships, better cognitive function and higher earning power at work. With benefits like this why would anyone choose to live with untreated hearing loss? Making the leap to go to a healthy hearing professional can be scary, but it is a decision that will improve your quality of life.
Do you have trouble talking with family members? Do you feel left out because you can’t understand what others can? Don’t wait any longer. Visiting us at the Hearing Aid Specialists of the Central Coast is the first step toward getting your hearing back.