Commentary by Marty Wood

The hearing aid industry has historically focused on low price offers to attract patients. Advertising attempts to generate interest with small, low cost products that sometimes leaves the impression that their product will work for everyone. The reality is that this advertising works for the existing hearing aid wearer looking for the ability to hear better than their current aids allow, or hoping to avoid the high cost to replace quality hearing aids.

So what attracts the first time hearing aid patient? Education at a local level is likely the most effective means of helping people recognize some of the causes and effects of hearing loss. There is strong and growing evidence that hearing loss can have a detrimental impact on many other health concerns. In a changing health environment, it is more important than ever to address cost efficient options. Treatment for hearing loss can be one such cost effective option.

But why do today’s baby boomers, one of the healthiest and most vibrant demographics in history, fail to recognize their loss and neglect the frustration from loved ones and co-workers that are forced to live with their loss?

5 STEPS TO HEARING BETTER WITH HEARING AIDS

• One must first acknowledge their hearing loss
• Make a personal choice to achieve better hearing with a good attitude
• Get a hearing test and understand your hearing loss and potential health impacts
• Establish realistic expectations
• Practice, time and patience with your new hearing aids, and you will soon enjoy what you can now hear again

For me, steps one and two came after several years of frustration by those around me and what had become an automatic “what” response numerous times a day. Then I made a decision to move to step three and the intriguing education of how most of us consistently ignore one of the five senses our brain uses every day to fully function. Once I fully understood the potential health issues as well as what my audiogram told me about my hearing loss, the remaining steps became much easier. As an active 58-year-old, I wanted to stay that way and not allow my brain to be deprived of better hearing. For me, I was pleasantly surprised from the initial expectation I had regarding hearing aids. The technical capability and clarity was like normal hearing. The size and lightness of the hearing aid was a surprise as well. I have to admit that having others know I was a hearing aid wearer did not really concern me.

While dieting and exercising help our bodies stay in shape, addressing your hearing loss will help your mind to stay in shape.