According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids. But despite this, only about one in five people who could benefit actually wears them, and those who do wait an average of 10 years to seek treatment. This could change if this population really understood the sounds they’ve been missing out on.
The Sounds of Summer
We review the sounds of summer you could enjoy with hearing aids below.
Nature
When you walk through nature at Balboa Park, you may not even be aware of all the sounds you’re missing, like the rustling of leaves in the trees, the babble of a brook or the patter of falling rain. If you have low-frequency hearing loss, you may even miss important warning sounds like thunder.
Animals
One of the many things we hear from our patients after they get their first set of hearing aids is, “I can hear the birds singing again!” Imagine waking up to the sound of birdsong like you did when you were younger, or falling asleep to the chirp of crickets.
Family
Many people with high-frequency hearing loss – the most common type – have a harder time understanding the voices of women and children. If you have trouble listening to your grandchildren’s whispered secrets in your ear, consider how wearing hearing aids could help you better understand.
Friends
Do you enjoy going on walks or attending classes with your friends during the summer months? Do you struggle to keep up with their inside jokes? Hearing aids will help you keep up with the conversation.
Hearing Aids Can Help
There are many types of hearing aids on the market, including behind-the-ear (BTE), mini-behind-the-ear (mini-BTE), receiver-in-the-ear (RITE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC) and completely-in-canal (CIC).
No matter what type you get, your hearing aid will consist of for main parts:
- The microphone picks up sounds in your environment.
- The processor amplifies sounds to the exact specifications your hearing loss requires.
- The receiver delivers the amplified sound to your ears.
- The battery powers the device.
For more information on the benefits of hearing aids or to schedule an appointment, call San Diego ENT today.