Is there a good return on investment in hearing aids?

When it comes to an investment in the quality of your life, there’s more than one way to measure value. Diagnosing and treating hearing problems has a positive impact on every aspect of your life, personally, professionally and even financially.

New technology has revolutionized hearing aids. They can automatically adapt to different environments, reducing the interference from background noise. There are daily wear and extended wear instruments.  Many are virtually invisible, sitting discreetly and comfortably inside the ear canal. Best of all, many are wireless, so you can stream sound from smartphones, home entertainment systems and other electronics directly into your hearing aid(s) at volumes just right for you.

When it comes to the purchase of personal items that enhance your life, there’s more than one way to measure value. Here are six ways that investing in professionally fitted hearing aids could bring you a greater return on your investment than you ever imagined. 

Using hearing aids reduces the risk of income loss.  People with untreated hearing loss can lose as much as $30,000 in income a year.

There is a link between hearing loss and dementia, leading experts to believe that interventions, like hearing aids, could potentially delay dementia. 

People with even a mild hearing loss are nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling. The intensive listening effort demanded by unaddressed hearing loss may take cognitive resources away from what is needed for balance and gait.

People with hearing loss who use hearing aids, may feel more in control of their lives and less self-critical. One study found that the majority of people with mild to severe hearing loss felt better about themselves and life overall as a result of using hearing aids.

Hearing aids can help reduce the prominence of tinnitus by amplifying background sound.

Using hearing aids can help improve interpersonal relationships.  People with hearing loss reported that using hearing aids improved their relationships at home, their social lives and their ability to join in groups.

Addressing hearing loss really is a smart buying decision. Start with a hearing evaluation.  


Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD & Ashley Spisak, AuD

8897 Mentor Ave

Mentor, Ohio 44060

440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818

http://aacHEAR.org

Resistance to seeking hearing help

We often see people with hearing loss resist seeking help.  There are many reasons why they it put off. 

It easy to deny there is a problem and blame others for the difficulty.  Hearing loss causes voices to sound soft and muffled.  It does not appear as if it is their hearing, just that others do not speak up or talk clearly.  When they watch TV, the volume does not sound loud to them, leading them to believe others like it very soft.

Hearing loss is often gradual.  It decreases slowly over time.  So slowly, that people can be unaware that hearing is changing.  Some sounds, such as birds or voices from another room and more, fade away without being missed. 

Not knowing or understanding about hearing and hearing aids, or where to go and who to see, can create fear.  To complicate it, many have heard stories of people who were unsuccessful with hearing aids.  This can create concern about making a good financial investment.  We recommend an audiologist.  Audiologists have many years of study in the area of the ears, hearing and hearing aids.  If hearing aids are recommended, they can help find cost effective ones.  

Help them to focus on what they are missing and how hearing loss is changing thier life in negative ways.  Often those with untreated hearing loss isolate themselves and withdraw from social situations including family gatherings.  They miss out on grandchildren and their stories.  It can impact relationships and her quality of life.  Stop in your local audiologist's office pick up some literature.  Knowledge about what to expect can help dispel some of the fear and anxiety.  Encourage them just as you would with any health issue. 

The longer they put it off, the more likely they will have a reduced ability to understand words.   Call and schedule a hearing evaluation.  

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!

Jane Kukula, Au.D.
Paula Webster, M.A.

Advanced Audiology Concepts

8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848

Fax: 440-205-9818

http://www.aacHEAR.org

Picture obtained from:

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Hearing Loss, Alzheimer's and Dementia

Hearing loss is associated with several diseases among them are dementia, cognitive dysfunction, and alzheimer's disease.   We now know there are more older adults with dementia who have hearing loss then there are older adults in general with hearing loss. 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.  What we found is a link between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease.   For every 10 decibels (a measurement of volume) of hearing loss there is a 20% increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.  Another study demonstrates adults with a mild to moderate hearing loss used so much energy to hear, they were unable to recall a short list of words.  Other cognitive abilities affected by hearing loss include learning new tasks, reduced alertness, irritability, anger and fatigue.   Thus hearing loss can make it appear as if someone is having memory issues when really it is a hearing problem.  Left untreated, hearing loss can result in permanent changes in the way the brain works. 

On a positive note, when treated with hearing aids and listening training, symptoms such as depression, anxiety, cognitive decline and disorientation can be reduced.  Just as we know working crossword puzzles and other word games stimulate the brain, so does hearing.  Just hearing sounds in your environment stimulates the brain.  Basically it is a case of use it or lose it. And unfortunately, while there are many people with Alzheimer’s who have hearing loss, they are less likely to receive hearing help. 

The Better Hearing Institute recommends regular comprehensive audiologic examination and hearing aids when recommended.  Hearing aids can and do improve the quality of life of those with Alzheimer’s.  Call today to schedule an appointment. 

Life Sounds Great! Enjoy Every Moment!

Jane Kukula, AuD
Paula Webster, MA
Board Certified Audiologists
Advanced Audiology Concepts
8897 Mentor Ave
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
http://www.aachear.org/