Debunking Myths on Hearing Loss and Hearing Tests

Hearing loss is usually perceived as a less serious health condition. After all, unlike other ailments like cancer, it can’t kill a person.  This is one probable reason why a lot of people are hesitant in seeing an audiologist and undergoing a hearing test.

However, hearing loss is more serious than what people think. It can affect a person’s day-to-day living, and even put a person in serious peril. This underlines the need for people to undergo hearing tests.

Another potential reason why a lot of people put off undergoing a hearing test is their belief in myths about hearing tests and hearing loss such as:

1. Hearing loss is very rare.

This is a very fallacious statement. In the United States alone, one in every five people has some degree of hearing loss. The incidence is higher in people aged 65 years and above (one out of three). And about three in 1,000 babies are born with permanent hearing loss in the United States. The same condition is found on other countries.
 

2. You can put off hearing test.

Early intervention is crucial to address hearing loss. And undergoing a hearing test is the first step in doing so. Research has shown that hearing loss can negatively impact the psychological and social development of a child. In adults, hearing loss can cause impaired memory, stress, depression, and ineffectiveness at work. Would you want to suffer first before undergoing a hearing test?
 

3. Hearing can be tested at home.

Another myth is that hearing can be tested at home by causing loud noises like clapping the hands or banging pots together. But even hearing impaired children may be startled to loud noises. The only way to accurately diagnose hearing loss is through a test conducted by a licensed audiologist.
 

4. People usually develop hearing loss due to risk factors like exposure to loud noises.

The truth is that anyone can suffer from hearing loss regardless of their age, race, gender, and work. In fact, more than half of babies born with hearing loss have no risk factors.
 

5. There’s no need to rush for a hearing test since babies under one year of age won’t be able to wear a hearing aid anyway.

The truth is that children as young as one month old could wear a hearing aid. The audiologist should explain all the treatment options for a baby with hearing loss once a diagnosis has been made.
 

For more details of our hearing test & assessment and hearing aid prescription services, please contact HK Hearing & Speech Centre.

Source:

HK Hearing & Speech Centre

Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,

and Hearing Aid Prescription

https://www.hkhearingspeech.com