WHY YOU SHOULD GET YOUR HEARING CHECKED ; The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss

According to Dr. Michael Mosley , presenter of the brilliant BBC TV series “Trust me I’m a doctor” the compelling message is that if you think your hearing is deteriorating , Do Not Delay, book an appointment for a hearing check . He says “ the affects of hearing loss on cognitive skills and memory can be quite profound “. Encouragingly though he goes on to say that if you correct the hearing loss you can prevent the cognitive decline . His comments are based on a large body of empirical research the most recent of which is a study out of the prestigious Johns Hopkins university in the US clearly indicating that treatment can have a very positive impact on both physical and mental well-being .
A further study conducted by Frank Lin M.D. Ph.D. also of Johns Hopkins which involved over 600 adults over a 12 year period showed direct links between hearing and health . Their findings were quite stark indicating that even mild hearing loss doubled the risk of dementia . Brain scans were able to show that hearing loss contributed to a faster rate of decline in the brain. Decreases in social interaction due to hearing loss may also lead to increased risk of dementia .
There is now clear unambiguous evidence that hearing aids help most people that try them .They can in fact have a huge effect on quality of life particularly enabling people to re-engage with friends and family and be more involved again .

MYTHS THAT CAN HOLD YOU BACK

“My hearings not that bad”
People wait on average up to 10 years before getting help for hearing loss . During that long period of time communication becomes more difficult and isolation and health risks increase . If you or a loved one has hearing difficulties it is best advice to have your hearing checked asap . Leinster Hearing Carlow offer a FREE screening service .

“Wearing Hearing Aids makes me look and feel old and Im not ready for that”
This is a normal reaction to hearing loss. The real truth is that nobody cares that you are wearing hearing aids but they are much happier that they can communicate more easily with you . Staying connected with others helps your brain stay younger and keeps you involved with life.

“I dont like the way hearing aids look”
The bad old days of large whistling earpieces are gone . Todays hearing aids are very inconspicuous and so comfortable that you dont even feel them in your ears . Modern hearing instruments are also very easy to use especially now with rechargeable batteries and bluetooth connectivity to phones and TV etc .

“Hearing Aids cost too much”
Your hearing is priceless and is on a par with your eyesight in terms of importance to your quality of life . Always ensure you are treated by a qualified professional , preferably a member of ISHAA. Purchasing quality hearing instruments will deliver superior sound quality which is essential for speech understanding . They will also last much longer and generally come with a free aftercare service . They should contain all the latest technologies such as rechargability and connectivity. The average price of a good quality hearing instrument is about €1500 but when the government grant of €500 and the Med1 rebate are taken into account the price amounts to around half of that at €800. Considering a good quality hearing instrument should last for up to 6 years this can turn out to be an incredibly prudent investment .

The final message is this.

If you think your hearing or that of a loved one has diminished hearing book an appointment for a hearing check with us here at Leinster Hearing Carlow . If you have a loss we will give you a FREE home trial with the latest and best hearing aids so you can experience for yourself the wonderful benefits of improved hearing . HEARING IS BELIEVING .

Donal Keane FdSc HAA MISHAA BC-HIS
Leinster Hearing Services
Staplestown Road
Carlow Town
05991 37670 or 087 1184185