Myths and Facts

There are many different myths about hearing problems and they often contribute to the stigma that many people still face.

1. Hearing loss is normal for my age.

This is not normal for any age, could occur at any age. No matter what your age could be, one should consult the hearing care professional so that an individual with hearing loss can take advantage of available rehabilitation options.

2. I don’t feel any hearing issues, why should I get it tested?

One should note that hearing can deteriorate slowly without even being noticed. Look for smallest signs such as your family complaining of your voice being loud/yelling, need of repeating the things said, you find yourself in a condition of saying “pardon” or if you find it difficult to understand speech in crowd you should consult Joy of hearing professionals.

3. If I had a hearing loss, I would know it.

Hearing loss often develops undetected. Most people compensate by asking others to repeat themselves, turning up the volume or looking at the face. It’s common to deny the problem initially, and then blame others for mumbling or keeping the TV volume too low. But the fact is, people without hearing loss don’t need to convince others that “I can hear just fine!” If others tell you to need a hearing test, it’s time to get one.

4. My hearing loss is not bad enough to hamper my everyday life.

Your hearing loss is more noticeable when you are not wearing a hearing aid. It can affect your day to day life by making you to ask people to repeat themselves, missing key points in a conversation, or responding inappropriately, may have people questioning your ability to effectively communicate. Even a mild hearing loss can create some nuances of speech perception resulting in embarrassments and exhaustion, and not to mention, untreated hearing loss has been linked to withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and dementia.

5. Hearing aids won’t work for me.

One needs to sit with audiologist to try and select most appropriate hearing aids suitable for their ear and listening needs. If this is done there’s nothing that would prevent the individual from being benefitted from hearing aids.

6. Aren’t there negative side-effects with wearing a hearing aid?

We all have preconceptions about hearing aids: how much they cost, how big they are, how uncomfortable they are to wear and what other people will think of us for wearing one. But the truth is, hearing aid technology has developed so much in recent years that most of the things we know, or think we know, are simply not true. Hearing aids when fitted by a right professional there will be no side effects on your health.

7. Will wearing a hearing aid make my hearing worse?

No in no ways unless they are fit in right manner. Some people get only one hearing aid due to the cost or for a reason to try with one first then plan for second, which can mean the other ear overcompensates and deteriorates. Hence, we always ensure a balanced hearing solution to you.

8. Hearing aids will make me look – and feel – old.

Hearing loss affect people of all age groups, hearing clearly and participating in conversations with confidence and without hesitation can help you stay young and vibrant.

Constantly asking people to repeat themselves, missing parts of the conversation and responding inappropriately could surely make you to feel old rather than putting on some miniature devices.

The goal of hearing aid fitting is to enable you to function as though you had a normal hearing, hearing aid manufacturers are aware of the importance of cosmetic appearance and make hearing aids blend with your appearance.

9. Good hearing aids are not affordable as they are very expensive.

Healthy hearing is a clearly a key to stay healthy, happy and socially active, Hearing aids let you in to a new world of sound. A better quality of life and happy relationship would be one of the precious investments that one could make.

Hearing aids are not expensive, People don’t get to know the value of it. There is nothing more costly than our peace of mind, healthy communication and a happy life.

10. When I can manage with one ear what’s the need for both ears.

Binaural hearing is the key feature of human communication. Nature has created two ears to serve the needs of our communication. Just like vision, hearing relies on input from both ears to locate the source of sound, analyse the sound, and separate the important components from a mixture of noise and speech. Numerous studies have proven the necessity of hearing from both sides to enhance the quality of hearing and speech perception.

There are some natural phenomena which works only when both ears are contributing to hearing process. These phenomena give us the ability of

If someone thinks that one can save some money by going only for one ear there is no better situation to compare to having spectacle only for one eye!

11. Speech Therapy is just about teaching to talk, this I can do at home.

Speech Therapy isn’t just about teaching how to talk – it’s about making an individual to communicate based upon the residual ability available in an individual. This could be a verbal communication, augmentative and alternative communication or language comprehension etc. It’s also about enhancing the drinking and swallowing abilities and movements of oro-motor organs. Without a proper guidance one might end up with achieving wrong ge milestones if resorted to self-treatments.

12. My Child speech is not irregular it is just that he speaks lesser he doesn’t Need a Speech Therapy.

Irregularities in speech are not only the symptom of developmental delay. Some children might have normal speech despite intrinsic language delay. It is a common misconception that if a child speaks normally though less, his development is in par with normal children. Such children might be suffering from expressive language disorders

An expressive language disorder is easier to notice and is identified by the following symptoms:

Speech language pathologists can help children overcome several communication issues and will tailor the program based on your child’s developmental shortcomings. Don’t hesitate to consult an SLP If you come across any warning signs.