Myths & Facts

COMMON MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT YOUR HEARING

We understand that hearing instruments can be a large investment and that there are many misconceptions about them. In order to clear up these misconceptions, we would like to offer you some facts to help you understand that hearing instruments are a very helpful tool for improving the quality of life for those with hearing impairment.

MYTH: My type of hearing loss cannot be helped.

FACT: The vast majority of hearing problems can be helped, either through medical treatment or, in the case of permanent sensory loss (nerve deafness), from the use of hearing instruments. To determine the best intervention your hearing should be tested by a qualified hearing health care professional.

MYTH: Hearing instruments will restore my hearing to normal.

FACT: Hearing instruments can only aid your hearing. They cannot restore normal hearing or stop the progression of sensory hearing loss. However, they CAN dramatically improve your ability to hear and understand.

MYTH: If I had a hearing problem I would know about it.

FACT: Since hearing loss tends to develop slowly, you gradually adjust, not noticing that the problem is worsening. Asking your friends to repeat themselves or turning the television up becomes very natural to you. Once you start wearing hearing instruments, you will realize just how much you have been missing.

MYTH: Hearing instruments are over-priced.

FACT: Properly fitted hearing instruments will drastically improve your quality of life, making them well worth the investment.

MYTH: Bargain hearing instruments work just as well as the more expensive ones.

FACT: It is strongly recommended that you consult a qualified hearing health care professional if you choose to purchase hearing instruments. They will help you choose instruments that will accommodate your specific hearing loss. If you order cheap instruments off the internet, through mail order, or even purchase them through a discount retailer, you take the chance of wasting your money on a product that won't work for you. Save yourself time, money and aggravation by seeing a professional.

MYTH: I'm too old to benefit from hearing instruments.

FACT: No matter you age, hearing is one of your most important senses. Hearing connects you to the rest of the world and helps you communicate with those close to you. Hearing instruments allow you to participate in your life and the life of others. You're never too old for that!

MYTH: A hearing loss can be fixed my making sounds louder.

FACT: This is often not the case. For many people, sounds may be loud enough, but they still cannot understand what is being said, especially in a noisy environment like a restaurant. If a hearing instrument only makes sounds louder, it would be just as difficult for the person to understand speech sounds because the noise would be equally amplified. This is why it is important to have good hearing instruments that amplify only the frequencies that you need for better speech understanding.

MYTH: People will think less of me when they see my hearing instruments.

FACT: Your hearing loss is much more obvious than hearing instruments. People who don't get help for their hearing loss tend to retreat from social events because they are embarrassed that they can't keep up with the conversation. The most noticeable result of wearing properly fitted hearing instruments is regaining the ability to interact with others. Wearing hearing instruments shows your loved ones that you care about what they have to say.

Graham Hearing Services, Inc.

(800)892-8494

Fort Smith, AR: 1005 Lexington Avenue - (479)783-5250

Poteau, OK: 2708 North Broadway - (918)649-0223

Van Buren: 801 Broadway - (479)478-6807