During the last several years I knew that my hearing wasn’t as good as it used to be. But like millions of other baby boomers I told myself I was far too young to worry about it. But because I prefer preventative medicine to reactionary medicine, I decided to get a hearing test just to check things out. Even then I was somewhat shocked and dismayed to learn just how bad my hearing really was. After digging around on the Internet I was equally shocked to find out how common impaired hearing is for millions of Americans. Even more important is why the denial of it can become such a huge problem if left untreated.
According to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine up to 20% of Americans over the age of 12 have trouble hearing in one or both ears. That’s one out of every five of us. Statistics also show that of those of us willing to admit we have a hearing loss, over 19% are ages 45 to 64 and nearly 30% are ages 65 to 74. Once you reach age 75, over 44% have hearing loss. And even though men are more likely to report hearing loss and blacks seems to do better than Caucasians, nearly half of us will have to deal with it at some point in our lives. Perhaps more baffling is that of all the people who are willing to admit to having a hearing problem, only one in seven uses a hearing aid.
What’s The Problem?
The big problem is denial. For several reasons most of us don’t want to admit that we can’t hear like we used to think we could. Then, like me, even if we admit we might have a bit of a problem, we deny that it is bad enough to warrant taking action. There are several big clues that indicate whether any one of us really should take action. Here are five questions to ask yourself:
1) Do I believe some people talk too quietly or mumble a lot to be heard well?
2) Do I dislike talking on the telephone because the connection isn’t clear or is sometimes difficult to hear?
3) Is it hard for me to follow the conversation in certain television shows (like Downton Abby) because of the accents or diction even when I turn it up loud?
4) More than once a day do I ask my spouse/friends/children to speak up or repeat themselves?
5) Do I avoid talking to people in crowded noisy places especially if they are sitting or standing a couple of seats away from me?
If you answered yes to more than one of these questions you probably have a problem that you’ve been denying. And remember, even when people are willing to admit that they might have a bit of a hearing problem, only one in seven is willing to take the steps to correct it. What is even more tragic is that people with what is considered to be severe hearing loss were just about as likely to deny they had a problem as those with mild or moderate loss.
What Are The Reasons For Denial?
As might be expected there are lots of studies being done to try to determine causes for hearing loss and what people are doing, or not doing, about it. The most common causes for hearing impairment are genetics, exposure to extremely loud noises, certain illnesses and/or their corresponding treatments, and even head injuries. Who among us hasn’t wondered about the price of listening to loud music? Research shows there are five top reasons people don’t take steps to treat hearing loss.
1) Finances. Hearing aids are expensive. I got my first case of sticker shock when I went to Costco and learned from the technician that the recommended Costco Brand costs $1,800. Just like with most people, hearing aids are not covered by my insurance making it cost prohibitive for many people.
2) Stigma. Let’s face it. Most of us tend to believe only old people wear hearing aids even though my research proves otherwise. And while I don’t believe myself to be overly concerned with the aging process and my own mortality, it does beg the question in a big way.
3) Hassle. Most of us are busy people and being instructed to maintain and care for an expensive item that we never before had to think about can be daunting.
4) Lack of knowledge or bad experience. Many people are unsure of how to proceed and others were given faulty advice in the past leading to a bad experience.
5) Attitude about hearing aids. Most of us have heard negative reviews from people who wore hearing aids, leading us to believe they often don’t help at all. Some of this is certainly valid but most has to do with lack of education.
Why Correcting Impaired Hearing Really Matters
I must confess I was in no initial hurry to rush out and buy the expensive hearing aids that were recommended to me. Even though I know and trust the technician at Costco where I had my hearing test, I still wanted to believe it wasn’t that bad. All the excuses I listed above were running through my head. That was until I began researching this article and learned the five big reasons addressing impaired hearing really matters:
#1 Hearing loss can lead to cognitive decline and to all-cause Dementia. While questions remain whether wearing a hearing aid can actually reverse this trend, there is no doubt there is a correlation. Simply put–not hearing changes our brains in a negative way.
#2 Hearing loss causes problems with memory. Diminished hearing stresses our cognitive load and makes memory increasingly difficult.
#3 Hearing loss affects our brain structure and shrinks our gray matter. Anything that isn’t used shrinks and atrophies. Again, our brain processing is being altered by not being able to hear.
#4 Hearing loss leads to a growing social isolation that contributes to dozens of health related issues.
#5 Hearing loss leads to poor balance, increased falls and slower movement as people age. (6)
Until I was willing to face the facts of my own hearing loss I remained blindly unaware of how prevalent the issue is for so many of us. Sure, most of us would prefer that we all stayed fully functioning and fit for our entire lives, but that seldom happens, especially if we reach the advanced ages we seek. And no one wants to spend money if they don’t have to. But denial seldom improves anything. Instead, maybe it’s SMART to remind ourselves that how well we hear without aids does not define who we are or our self worth. But, how well our brain hears and processes does help us to wholly experience life and to connect to others. As someone who intends to live life as fully as possible and as long as possible, why would I not take action to make it as good as possible? Why wouldn’t any of us do the same?
Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/
I usually think of hearing aids as a tool that helps you hear conversations better, not something that can help with dementia. It’s interesting that not being able to hear can actually harm our brains and overall health. If I notice someone I know is dealing with hearing issues, I’ll definitely recommend a hearing aid so they can stay mentally alert and participate in normal social activities. Thanks for the information.
Hi Hazel! You are welcome. I think it is so very important for anyone who struggles with hearing loss to know that it’s much MORE than just not being able to hear. Thanks for sharing the news! ~Kathy
I didn’t realize that such a large percentage of people over 75 have trouble hearing. I’ve lost most of my hearing in one ear so I’m looking into getting a hearing aid. Hopefully, I can take good enough care of my ears so that things won’t get much worse from here on out.
Thanks for the information on why hearing aids are so important. I’m surprised to hear that only one in seven people with hearing problems use aids. I think my mother might have some hearing issues. I’ll be sure to take her into a hearing clinic; I surely don’t want her to experience any cognitive decline!
My brother loves going to rock concerts and stand really close to the speakers. As a result, he has lost some of his hearing. I agree with you that the big problem is denial and many people don’t want to admit that they may need a hearing aid. Do you have any advice on how I can convince his to get a hearing aid?
Hi Sara! Sorry to hear about your brother. Unfortunately, if the news that his brain and thinking might be effected by his hearing loss isn’t enough to care then there is likely nothing you can do about it. Perhaps when it gets worse he will finally get himself checked. As with so many things related to our health, it’s impossible to get others to do what it takes. Good luck. ~Kathy
Knowing whether you can hear well on the phone can definitely determine your hearing capabilities. Not being able to follow a conversation on TV could also help give you a good idea of how well you can hear. My wife says that high-pitched sounds hurt her ears. I can’t play my guitar around her very much anymore because it annoys her.
Hi Gus! It sounds like your wife should at least get her ears checked. If there is a Costco anywhere nearby it won’t cost a thing. Hearing well should be as important as seeing well–if you need glasses get them, right. Of course, your wife just might not like what you play on your guitar 🙂 Have you ever asked her that? ~Kathy
I know I’d never want to lose my hearing! I had no idea that hearing loss could have so many things come along with it. I guess regular hearing tests must be pretty important! Thanks for sharing this information.
Hi Jamarcus! Welcome to SMART Living and thanks for your comment. I’m glad if I’ve been able to encourage even one person to get a hearing test that needs it. There are several important reasons to get hearing aids if a person needs them. Denial does no one any good. ~Kathy
Your list of questions about the problem really hits close to home. My father consistently complains that people are talking too softly, asks us to repeat ourselves, and complains that he can’t hear us over any background noise. I think he’s finally getting to the point where he’s admitting that maybe he needs to wear hearing aids full time, but it’s been a frustrating journey getting to that point. I’ll have to pass along the list of why it matters!
Hi Jane! Welcome to SMART Living 365 and thanks for your comment. Yes, our hearing is so much more important than most of us know. Good luck sharing the info with your father. ~Kathy
Hi Skylar! I strongly recommend you take the time to get your hearing checked….especially if you can do it for free at Costco or anywhere else. Just knowing one way or another is good. Plus, if my Costco is any example, there is no pressure whatsoever to buy anything until you are good and ready. In fact, the person who gave me my test told me that most people “don’t” get hearing aids for several years after their first test. So do yourself a favor and get tested! And thanks for your comment. ~Kathy
Hi Gerald! Thanks for stopping by SMART Living and sharing your thoughts on this. I agree most of us tend to put our “hearing” off as long as we can. But with it being tied to how well we think and the “health” of our brains, I’m hoping more people won’t put it off as long. ~Kathy
I completely agree with you, Kathy! I think your work here has helped quite a bit, though. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, i accidentally founds this post and I can so relate! My father in law cant hear anything! I get tired of repeating the same thing twice to him . WE as a family have asked him many times to lets get you a hearing aid but he refuses to. One day he admitted that the reason he dont want it because it will make him feel old!!(he’s 65)
Thanks for sharing your father-in-laws experience with all of us. Please assure him that hearing loss doesn’t just happen to people when they get older. Lots of us have issues. I’ve been wearing my new hearing aids for about a week now and am happy with them in so many ways. And they are so incredibly tiny no one even suspects I am wearing them!
Hi Kathy – you’ve probably already done this but I thought of you anyway – I have nominated your Blog for the Liebster Award, if you would like to accept it the instructions are here: http://crestingthehill.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/liebster-love.html
Hi Leanne. Thank you so much for nominating me. I am always deeply touched and honored when someone takes the time to do this but I made the choice a couple of years ago that I would not do the “award” thing here on SMART Living. (I did a couple and most of them took a lot of time AND they took me off my mission for this blog). I am grateful you wanted to include me and thank you again for the gesture. ~Kathy
you are so right, the problem I have is with accents. I do have to ask people to repeat themselves, but I don’t think it’s because I can’t hear them, I think it is because of their pronunciation. I will have my hearing checked next time I have a physical. Thanks for posting this.
My family has always shared the story about my grandfather who, having lost his hearing in one ear at a young age, would strategically turn his head when my grandmother started nagging him. He once whispered to me that it was also rather helpful when she snored.
I’ve never really thought about the negative side effects and I have to thank you very much for sharing them with us. My balance is a little off and I do sometimes struggle to hear my husband, who uses a low, quiet tone in public places to avoid being overheard … or, at least, that’s what I think he’s doing.
You’ve got me thinking it’s time for test.
Hi T.O. Hahaha for your grandfather. Thank you for pointing out that NOT hearing can have advantages too.
And obviously I was surprised to learn what can happen to any of us if we aren’t monitoring our hearing. And what was even more surprising to me was how few of us are talking about it. It is just another one of those areas that gets ignored by our culture because we focus so much on youth. I’m sure some people would rather have a facelift than check to see if they can hear well. (at least where I live in Southern California.) But that is such a focus on our “looks” rather than the quality of our life right? Anyway, when you get done with all your moving and other “adventures”you might want to check it out. I go in today to pick up my HAs (hearing aids) and will begin my 90 day trial. Costco offers that for any member and I intend to be very circumspect about it. And yes, of course I will be writing about it in the future. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. ~Kathy
I’m so glad you brought this up. I have a neighbor who kept putting off getting a hearing test, and when he finally did, he was told it was too late to do anything about it. I’m not sure if he went for a second opinion, but it’s scary to know that the longer you put it off, the grater the problem.
Hi Nora! I have never heard of someone not being helped by getting HA (hearing aids) except if they have become completely deaf. Maybe that is the case. And then perhaps even if he did get HAs it would have eventually happened anyway. Meanwhile, I do think it is so very important for us all to pay attention and use our minds while we can. All the brain research says that the bigger and more complex we can keep our brains the more they will be able to withstand time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. ~Kathy
We were just talking to friends about this last night. I have had periodic odd issues with my hearing the past five years. It’s not plain hearing loss as much as it’s something else that will cause the loss, and then it’ll all come back. Aging is NOT for the faint of heart, that’s for sure!
Hi Kathy, nice to connect after a long time; liked your post… I have been having problem with my right ears for long time now; due to swimming and there is repeated infections; I used to take allopathy and then when the weather is cold it does affect my ears. I did not check about hearing… now I feel I must go for a checking, thanks for sharing….
I’ve had hearing loss most of my life, so has my brother; for both of us our speech isn’t as clear as it should be, we learned what we heard, and what we heard was ‘mumble’. It has got worse as I age, I’ve had hearing tests, they do them every few years in the factories and we were supplied with earplugs one year as part of the Occupational Health and Safety program, but of course that was much too late for many of us, having been working close to noisy machinery for years.
I KNOW I should have hearing aids, especially for times when I’m out in a crowd and simply can’t hear when there are several conversations going on at once. I simply can’t afford them.
Hi River! Sorry this has been something you’ve had to live with most of your life. I’ll bet there are lots of folks out there that have just learned to adapt to diminished hearing for a long time. Do you know if simple amplification might help you? It doesn’t work for me because mine loss is in the mid range but if it works for you then the amplification hearing aids can be purchased much more reasonably. I’ll be writing about what I find out in the next several months. Hope that helps. ~Kathy
I am so shocked at the reasons why we should get hearing aids! I am sure my hearing has deteriorated considerably over the years (I am 52) but I have kept putting off the free hearing check because I found out that the aids are so expensive, now that I have read your post I think I will get my hearing checked and explore my options. My memory is already too slow and I am terrified of dementia! Thanks so much, looking forward to hearing about your further experiences with hearing aids.
Jenni (Australia)
Hi Jenni! I know–right? I had conveniently ignored all the information about WHY hearing aids were so important until I started researching this article. It’s sort of funny when you think about it because so many of us will rush out to buy the latest technology to make phone calls but ignore how important hearing aids can be. I think many people might be fine with just amplification and in that case the prices are much more reasonable. And remember, there’s no charge for a test at Costco! Do they have those in Australia? Let me know. ~Kathy
I have found out we actually have 2 Costco stores in Melbourne, not really close to where I live, I see there is also a $60 membership which is a shame, I don’t think I would use it too much unless of course I need hearing aids! My plan is to get my hearing checked for free near where I live and then see what the outcome is and I might be then joining Costco! Thanks for the heads up! Jenni
I am about sixty now and using hearing aids since last 30 years. In my case this is genetics problem as most of my family members are using hearing aids but I was the first one to go for it. Frankly speaking I was very shy of using hearing aid but after seeing Mr Rageon ( the former President of USA) I thaught I must get the benifit of tinny hearing aid. I just want to share my good experience with the reader of your post that hearing aid is very useful both to counter mend the health problems connected with loss of hearing as well as it give ones lot of confidence to fully joys the life. Thanks for your very informative research on this topic and I am sure many people will be benefited.
Hi M.D Malik…thank you so much for sharing your personal experience and encouraging the rest of us to take the plunge. Thankfully the technology of the new HAs are vastly superior to models made 30 years ago. You’ve likely seen a lot of changes. Hopefully we can start talking about this issue more and making it something more of us take advantage of. ~Kathy
I actually have some hearing loss in one ear and I’m only 32- not sure yet if it’s deteriorating or stable. I’m already asking my husband to repeat himself often, and it’s not fun for either of us. I appreciate this perspective you’ve shared, especially the points related to memory loss, dementia, and social isolation. I definitely want to get hearing aids, or an operation if it helps, sooner rather than later!
Hi Michelle. Bummer! Sorry to hear about your ear at your young age. And yes, loss in one ear is more prevalent. And depending upon the type of loss it might be helped with an amplification model which is MUCH cheaper. Next time you get a chance get a hearing aid. They are free through Costco if you are a member and they aren’t on commission so they don’t usually pressure you to buy. In fact, my technician told me it usually takes people about 7 years after they know that they have hearing loss to get hearing aids so you don’t even have to decide when you do it. But the research did motivate me for sure.~Kathy
The cost is what blows me away! I can’t see paying that much for them!
Hi Rena! Yes they are expensive. I’m hoping with all us baby boomers going to need them in the coming years that will ramp up the competition and help with pricing. I don’t think all types of aids are as expensive–it sort of depends upon your particular hearing loss. And yeah for Costco! Plus there are a couple of other options out there that I will research and let people know when I do my “review.” ~Kathy
Good for you Kathy acting proactive. It is expensive but you gave the best reasons to spend the money. I have been wearing bifocals for years and I am always surprised when people do not wear their glasses or readers and just can’t see for fear of looking old. We are old!
I have a friend who I know is not hearing well and when I mentioned gently something about not hearing well as I used she did not take up the conversation. Maybe she didn’t hear me?
Hi Haralee! Hahahaha about your friend….but you’re right. She might not have heard you! I was at a luncheon yesterday and although I could hear the person with the mike at the front of the room very well–and the women sitting to either side of me–but when a friend sitting on the other side of one of them leaned over and said something to me a couple of times I just had to smile and nod…I really couldn’t hear more than one or two words out of her sentence. And then I think we get so used to NOT being able to hear that we don’t even realize how often we do that!!! I’m looking forward to find out! Thanks for the encouragement! ~Kathy
OK, I’ll think about it! My testing showed high frequency loss only. But, Downton Abbey has been an issue :>) Sometimes it’s hard having smart friends who do the research instead of practicing routine avoidance.
Hi Kathleen! hahahahaha! Like I said in the post I was fully intending to ignore the issue too until I read all that stuff about cognitive brain drain. I’m WAY-AY-AY more attached to being able to think than I am to a “younger image of myself” 🙂 So I’ve got a pair on order. Naturally I’ll be writing a review of the process so there’s no rush. But I would recommend my friend Ray at Costco if you want to get a new test. (they recommend one if you haven’t had one in 6 months and there’s no charge.) You’re actually fortunate with just high frequency loss so you might be able to get some at a better cost. My loss is called “cookie bite” because I can hear highs and lows pretty well….it’s my mids that are the problem and it is likely a hereditary thing. Anyway, you KNOW I’ll be letting everyone know what I think about them once I get them. ~Kathy
This is really good info. I have partial hearing (and constant ringing) in one ear due to a fused inner ear bone. I had surgery several years ago to correct it but things have “slipped” so I’m back to missing parts of conversations and turning on the subtitles in English language movies. I too was horrified at the price of hearing aides ( I was quoted about $3000 to $4000 for one of those small ones) and have, so far, decided against getting one. In addition to the high price, they only last a few years.
Based on your post, I may look at them again.
Hi Janis! Yes the price of HA (that’s short for Hearing Aids obviously) is very high. I think that is going down but the technology right now is changing very quickly and that allows them to charge high prices. Of course I will be doing a post about my new HAs…yes I have them on order through Costco. Do check Costco out. The reviews are very good and they usually have good technicians–at least here in La Quinta. And yes, the life span isn’t great either but I love the Costco warranty so that helps. Like I said, I’ll be writing about my “experience” once I get them….I’m SUPER excited that they bluetooth to my iphone now though….that will make phone calls so much more clear!!!! ~Kathy
I’m sorry to learn of your hearing loss, but not at all surprised to see how well youve researched the matter. I know you will take the appropriate proactive actions to avoid bigger issues down the road.
xoxo nancy
Hi Nancy! Thank you but it’s sort of funny when you think about it…when a person has to start wearing glasses we don’t even think about it. We really do have this big stigma about hearing loss so it SEEMS a bigger deal than it really is I think. And from some of my research, there are actually far fewer people who have vision problems than hearing problems. But again, it’s one of those things we don’t like to think about. The good news is that technology is making a HUGE difference over the hearing aid issue. Of course, glasses don’t cost NEARLY as much. Hopefully that will be changing too as more and more of us age. ~Kathy P.S….and how are YOU doing????