Fear of hearing aids

Why it is unfounded

Hearing aids in daily life

First of all, hearing aids are great. They significantly improve the everyday lives of people with hearing loss. And yet many people shy away from wearing hearing aids. Some are downright afraid of hearing aids. This is mainly due to shame: many people perceive hearing loss and the wearing of hearing aids as a stigma - a stigma of old age.

People tolerate their hearing loss out of fear of hearing aids

You can only participate in conversations to a limited extent. It is difficult to make phone calls. The loud TV is annoying the neighbours. The grandchildren giggle when grandpa has understood nonsense again. And soon they withdraw more and more from public life because they can no longer understand anything in the restaurant and concerts are no longer enjoyable. People who develop hearing loss put up with a lot. On average, it takes two years from the time a hearing loss is diagnosed to the time they buy hearing aids.¹ Yet hearing aids are tools that they desperately need and that enrich their lives immeasurably.

Many people are embarrassed by hearing aids. Too big, visible to everyone and ugly. They are too complicated to use and sometimes even whistle when overloaded. The fact is that all this is no longer true. Technically, hearing aids have developed enormously, and their performance approaches that of normal functioning hearing. Most of them disappear so elegantly behind or in the ear that they are almost invisible. In addition, modern hearing aids are smart high-tech tools. They can be connected to televisions, smartphones and navigation devices and make everyday life easier in many ways for those affected. Afraid of hearing aids? No one needs to be.

Study proves: Hearing aids improve quality of life

Ten million people in Germany live with a hearing impairment, but only 37 percent of those with hearing loss wear hearing aids. The vast majority of users of hearing solutions are satisfied: 97 percent say that their quality of life has improved as a result of their hearing aids. 94 percent find their hearing aid helpful at work. And one in six say in retrospect that they should have gotten hearing aids sooner. ² These testimonials prove that the fear of hearing aids is unfounded.

If people ignore their hearing loss for too long, the consequences can be far-reaching: Our brain can forget how to hear if it is not supplied with acoustic signals over a long period of time. After some time, the brain forgets these signals as the nerve connections responsible for hearing deteriorate. Hearing loss also promotes the development of dementia. People with poor hearing perceive less and offer their brain little stimulation. A possible consequence: senile dementia.³

Addressing hearing loss gently

In order not to frighten the hearing impaired person, relatives should discuss the hearing loss sensitively and take any fear of hearing aids seriously. The more gently and understandingly the first conversation about a possible hearing loss is conducted, the more likely it is that the affected person will not block it. A hearing test will then provide information about the hearing ability.

Sources:
¹„Hausärzte und Hörgeräte”
https://www.aerztezeitung.de/praxis_wirtschaft/medizinprodukte/article/971167/umfrage-hausaerzte-hoergeraete.html
²„EuroTrak Germany 2018“
https://www.ehima.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/EuroTrak_2018_GERMANY.pdf
„Deafness and hearing loss“
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
³„Hören kann man verlernen – Warum bei nachlassendem Hörvermögen der Einsatz von Hörgeräten ratsam ist“
https://www.presseportal.de/pm/52279/3290188