Back in June my dad called me to say he had scheduled an appointment with an audiologist for a hearing test because he had finally reached a point where it was really affecting his quality of life.  After reviewing his hearing test, I selected a pair of open-fit hearing aids for him and he was fit the end of June.  Here’s Dad’s account of the experience as sent to me by email:

“For two years I avoided a hearing test because of the thought of wearing hearing aids. But, I noticed more and more that I was missing out on some things I enjoyed, such as, movies, television shows, meeting and talking with friends and, most importantly, talking on the phone with my grandchildren.

Believe it or not, one of the best days of my life was the day I had a hearing test and was told that I was a candidate for hearing aids! The next best day was when I put on the hearing aids for first time and suddenly a new world opened that I had not experienced in many years.

Today, after one month, I look forward to the start of the day when I put on my hearing aids. Watching movies, either on TV or at the theater, has become a new experience. I now hear the “whole” phone conversation I have with my grandchildren. The person who loves my new hearing aids as much as I do is my wife. No more “huhs?” or “what did you say?” I didn’t enjoy crowded rooms at restaurants or parties because of the noises. Now, no problem; bring on the parties!”

This past weekend, I spent time with my dad since he was fit.  When I first saw him, I actually asked him if he was wearing his hearing aids because I couldn’t see them.  Afterwards, I was amazed at how well he participated in all conversations in all types of environments.  The difference the hearing aids made was very obvious.  This personal experience has brought my experience as an audiologist to a different level.  For my dad, it’s improved his quality of life so much he’s become a “hearing aid ambassador.”

Steve

While speaking with him, his wife joined the conversation on another phone.  As he and I started asking each other questions, and I listened to all the hearing problems he was experiencing (especially those concerning his wife), he wife blurted out, “Just try them, already!!  Would ya do that for me?” The silence seemed to last forever, but it was obvious that his hearing loss was causing a tremendous impact on their marriage and his lifestyle.

As much as the gentleman was trying to find answers to such questions as, “What’s the best hearing aid?” and, “How will I know if they’ll work for me?” and, “Why are they so expensive?”…his wife said exactly what I wanted to say. 

At HearingPlanet, we talk to hundreds of people every week who are bombarded with various sources of hearing aid marketing, hearing aid manufacturers they’ve never heard of, a variety of websites, etc.  This information has made a hearing aid purchasing decision more overwhelming than ever.  In spite of all this information, the best and only way to find out if hearing aids will work is to TRY THEM!! 

Here are a few things you should understand when looking for hearing aids.

• There is not a “best hearing aid” in our industry.  A hearing aid is matched to your particular hearing loss and lifestyle needs, and what works for one person may not work for you.
  
• Work with a company who will take the time to answer your questions and not be evasive or play games with pricing, discounts, brands, models, etc.  This expert guidance can be critical towards a successful outcome.
  
• The importance of a caring and knowledgeable Hearing Professional cannot be overlooked.  Today’s hearing aids require a professional savvy enough to customize the programming for you, understand Bluetooth and wireless options, and expertly coach you through the adaptation process. 
  
• Only work with a company who carries different manufacturers since one brand won’t fit every person.  You wouldn’t buy a flat screen TV from a store who carried only one brand, right?  Studies have shown that “choice” is one of the most important factors for people when buying hearing aids. 
  

Steve

To: Grant
Subject: RE: HearingPlanet
Hey Grant,

All is good, actually better than good. We just got home from a week of vacation. I know I have been wearing them for a while now but I was still amazed at what I am hearing now as opposed to the last time we were there. I just didn’t realize what I wasn’t hearing. Thank you, again!  By the way, please send out some batteries. I opened my last pack this weekend. Again, I cannot thank you enough for the difference you have made in my life. Keep up the good work!  Julia

To: Beth
Subject: Re: Your HearingPlanet order has been processed - Thank you!!
Hi Beth,

Thanks for your referral to Dr DeKriek at Fidelity Hearing center--he’s excellent!  He answered all my questions, gave me enough information in our conversation so that I could ask more questions so I came away feeling confident in my choice in hearing aids as well as having a great provider.  Cory, his front office person was great too.  And I so appreciate your help--it has made my process much easier for a “first time buyer” of hearing aids.

Thanks,
Chris

To: Whitney
Subject: Re: Your HearingPlanet order has been processed - Thank you!!
Hi Whitney!! I just wanted to let you know how very pleased I am with my new hearing aids. I sat and cried Friday evening just realizing how much I’ve been missing!
Thanks so much!!
Connie

The current paper received surveys from almost 3,200 people and focused entirely on hearing aids worn within the last 4 years.  I’ve summarized the findings below.  To read the entire study, click here.

First, concerning the subjects’ hearing loss while NOT using hearing aids, the most frequent hearing/listening comments were reported:

1. Hearing in background noise (restaurants, business meetings, large groups of people, parties, etc.);
   
2. Almost 90% reported their hearing loss affects both ears;
   
3. Only 47% can hear a shout across a room;
   
4. Only 31% can hear and understand normal conversation across a room.
   

The following points show consumer satisfaction while using hearing aids.  Any comparisons are from the 2004 study.

1. Overall hearing aid satisfaction increased from 68% to 74% putting hearing aids on par with most consumer electronics.  Satisfaction with the newest hearing aids increased to 81%!
   
2. Hearing aid dissatisfaction decreased from 16% to 12%.
   
3. Consumer satisfaction with hearing benefits while wearing hearing aids stands at 86%!
   
4. 82% of today’s hearing aid wearers would recommend using hearing aids to their friends.
   
5. 78% are satisfied with the cosmetics of their hearing aids.
   
6. 87% are satisfied with fit, comfort, and ease of use of hearing aids.
   
7. One area of improvement needed – consumers want more ease of control over volume adjustments on their hearing aids. 60% said they wanted improvement in this area.
   
8. 77% are satisfied with the clearness of tone and overall sound of their hearing aids.
   

Technology has made the greatest improvements in the areas of hearing in background noise and managing wind noise.  A 7% increase in user satisfaction was noted with both areas getting a 60% satisfaction rating.  Comment – Background noise is present in everything we do, and even normal hearing people struggle in these areas.  A 7% increase in satisfaction is huge!

Given these facts and the numerous other blogs I’ve posted here about hearing aid benefits, I’m still surprised that only 25% of the people who could wear hearing aids actually purchase them.  Since hearing loss affects our quality of life, personal relationships, confidence, and much more, the above consumer reported findings should provide assurance that hearing aids can provide a great benefit.  So, have hearing aids improved and are they worth trying – you bet!! 

Steve

For starters, it is critical to have realistic expectations.  It goes without saying, but if anyone expects hearing aids to restore their hearing to “normal,” this will not be a good experience.  Hearing loss not only affects our ability to hear sound and speech, but it also affects our ability to communicate, listen, and think about what we’ve heard.  And since most people wait several years before using hearing aids, the entire hearing and listening pathway gets used to not “hearing” and thus only processes partial information.  Hearing aids can’t “fix” everything.

To paraphrase what I said earlier, if you expect your hearing aids to work perfectly “out of the box,” you’ll be sorely disappointed.  It is critical to have patience and communicate closely with your hearing professional so that proper coaching and computer fine-tuning is maximized completely.  Your entire hearing pathway needs time to re-learn and recognize critical listening skills and sounds.  The rustle of a newspaper, listening in a restaurant, outdoor noises, running water, children’s voices, the sound of a telephone, driving a car, and typing on a keyboard are just a few of thousands of sounds of which people lose track over the years that will sound differently through hearing aids. 

So what can be done to get the best outcome with your new hearing aids? 

• Be patient!!  Remember the discussion above.
  
• See the local hearing professional regularly during the trial period and communicate all your positive and negative experiences.  They can only address your concerns if you tell them everything.
  
• Keep your expectations realistic about what hearing aids can and cannot do.
  
• If initially wearing your hearing aids is too overwhelming in difficult noisy environments, consider introducing these situations gradually at first. 
  
• Keep a journal of your experiences and share it with the hearing professional.  This will help both of you work towards a more successful outcome.
  
• While about 85% of people keep and benefit from the original hearing aids selected, it is not uncommon for some people to exchange to another brand and model if the first set doesn’t provide the expected results.  The trial period is when we all learn how you’ll react with hearing aids, so don’t become frustrated if you don’t progress as you’d like.

Remember, it takes 3 things to work together to make a successful hearing aid fitting – the professional, the hearing aids, and you – the wearer.  Each part plays a critical role, and if done properly, there will be a successful outcome! 

This follows several other stories to make the rounds in 2009.  Thankfully they all point to continued positive trends towards hearing aid acceptance and satisfaction.  For example, Consumer Reports surveyed 1,100 hearing aid wearers and found that 73% were very or completely satisfied with their hearing aids!  This percentage puts hearing aids very high on consumer satisfaction lists for healthcare and consumer electronic devices.  We see an even higher percentage with our patients at HearingPlanet.

There have been suggestions and facts mentioned in these various news stories worth repeating here:

• People with untreated hearing loss (choosing not to wear hearing aids) experience lower wages, poor communication, poorer overall health, and increased stress in all personal relationships.  Once fitted with hearing aids, the positive changes one experiences in these situations are documented and profound.
  
• Buying hearing aids can be confusing with great price variations.  It pays to research and work with someone who will take the time to make certain you are well informed with the entire process.
  
• When buying hearing aids, make certain you receive a minimum 30-day trial period.
  
• To achieve the best results from a hearing aid fitting, it is critical you work closely with a licensed hearing professional for the proper testing, selection, fitting, and coaching during the adjustment phase.  Getting used to hearing aids takes time so be patient!
  
• Today’s hearing aids have options for wireless connectivity, including Bluetooth.  See this link for more information -
  
• Don’t confuse today’s hearing aids with cheaper and similar looking “sound amplifiers” you can buy direct without the assistance of a hearing professional.  They are not intended for hearing loss.

I’m thrilled with all the positive press, as you can imagine.  There are still too many people who choose not to wear hearing aids, and I believe we’ll continue making progress as technology and acceptance continues to grow.  With communication so very important in today’s culture, the effects of hearing loss are having an even greater impact.

Potential Advantages

Fans of disposable hearing aids claim they have several advantages over conventional designs, including:

• No need to replace batteries. A disposable hearing aid’s batteries are a permanent part of the casing; when they die, you simply replace the device.
  
• Low maintenance. Because they are only worn for a short time (usually around two months), disposable models do not need to be adjusted over time.
  
• Easy replacement. If you lose or damage a conventional hearing aid, it can be expensive to replace. In contrast, disposable hearing aids usually cost under $100.

However, this kind of hearing aid is not for everyone. They also have their downside.

Potential Disadvantages

Some people who have experimented with disposable hearing aids ultimately decided that conventional models are worth it, citing problems such as:

• Poor fit. Disposable models are not custom fitted; instead they have a flexible design to help them fit the majority of adult ears. For some users, however, the fit is simply uncomfortable.
  
• Standardized settings. While disposable hearing aids can usually be adjusted to some extent, their settings are mostly one-size-fits all. For people with severe hearing loss or other complications, these models may not provide adequate help.
  
• \ Frequent replacement. Disposable hearing aids aren’t designed to be long-lasting, so they do die eventually. Some people simply do not want to buy several hearing aids per year.

Before you spend money on a disposable hearing aid, discuss the matter with a qualified audiologist. He or she can help you decide if it is right for you.

Are you someone who has hearing loss but has chosen not to explore hearing aids?  Or, are you close to or live with someone who has untreated hearing loss (meaning the person has chosen NOT to use hearing aids)?  Hopefully, the following information will provide motivation.

If you read the statistics about hearing loss, the most glaring fact is that of the estimated 30 million people who have hearing loss, only about 22% actually wear hearing aids.  Alarming?  You bet.  Even more alarming are current studies showing the negative effect that untreated hearing loss has on family, friends, and everyone else who comes in contact with those who have chosen not to treat their hearing loss.

Communication is the foundation with how relationships of all types successfully exist.  Effective communication allows both parties to convey thoughts and emotions.  A relationship is bound to fall apart if you take away the ability to talk, hear and respond.

So, if hearing loss is present, one of the key reasons people choose to not wear hearing aids can be summed up in one word – denial.  Personally, I’ve spoken to thousands of people in my 20 year career as an audiologist and I’m always amazed at the number of people who choose to “live with” their hearing problems and provide a number of excuses.  Denial is a powerful deterrent and should never be given into when it comes to your health and well being.

When someone is truly in need of hearing help, and yet they make the choice to not wear hearing aids, it can be viewed as a selfish choice given how their poor communication and hearing affects those around them.  For example consider the findings of a recently released British study that surveyed 1,500 people with hearing loss over the age of 55:

• Almost 50% said that relationships with their partner, friends, or family had negatively suffered because of their hearing loss.
  
• 34% reported to have lost touch with friends and family members, and in several cases saw marriage to fall apart as a result of the hearing loss.
  
• 69% said their hearing loss seriously hinders their ability to take part in everyday conversation.
  
• 52% feel “left out” and ignored in social situations.

Given the amazing advances in hearing aid cosmetics and digital technology, various payment plans available, and the trial period given by reputable hearing aid distributors, there is simply no reason NOT to give hearing aids a try.  The “I can hear just fine” argument can only go so far.  Everyone’s quality of life is affected by hearing loss, and there’s simply no excuse to explore a solution.

So remember, friendships, a good quality of life, happy marriages, and hearing aids all go together.

Steve

“We are so grateful.” says Warren Center Clinical Director of Audiology Amanda Samoluk, Au.D., CCC-A.  Samoluk is responding to the donation of 22 hearing aids from HearingPlanet, Inc. of Tennessee.  HearingPlanet located the Warren Center and its Regional Hearing Aid Bank program on the web and thought it was the perfect place to give a few hearing aids.

The Regional Hearing Aid Bank, ReHAB for short, is designed to provide hearing aids to those members of our community who are unable to afford them. It utilizes donated behind-the-ear hearing aids which can be refurbished and reprogrammed for use by another person.

The ReHAB program is designed particularly for members of the community who are unable to be served by the Veterans’ Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation program, insurances or other third-party providers and whose annual income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level. There is an application process and a waiting list for these services. Currently the Warren Center has a three year waiting list for a ReHAB hearing aid.

Hearing loss is the most common neurological disability in the United States. And the impact of hearing loss on the personal and professional lives of the deaf or hard-of-hearing and on society is profound.

The number of adults in the United States with hearing loss is rising, especially in the late-deafened adult sector as the baby boomer population reaches retirement age. Noise pollution – the increased volume levels in the work place – has become more prevalent and manifests as premature hearing loss.

And we’re living longer than ever before. As the elderly population grows, so does the need for hearing-restoration technologies. Hearing aids and emerging technology will contribute to keeping the severely deafened individuals of this age group in the work force until retirement.

About Warren Center

The Warren Center for Communication & Learning is Bangor’s oldest not-for-profit professional speech and hearing center. It provides evaluations, therapies and technologies in the areas of speech, language development and hearing to the children and adults of, Eastern and Central Maine.

So, to share their stories and abide by our patient’s wishes, the various comments below are from patient emails received the past couple weeks from people like Stan who have been helped by today’s hearing aids.  If you are thinking of trying hearing aids, hopefully their words and experiences will provide motivation.

“Hi, Merideth - I am really happy with my Seimens aids. I can now hear birds, rain, and the stereo in the house is great.  I can also enjoy the (xm) radio in my GMC Denali now that it doesn’t sound like an old A.M radio any more - it’s great.  I would like to thank you very much as these hearing aids have changed my life.”

“Good Morning, Alex.  I picked up my hearing aids Wednesday – so far, so good.  At home I have two cats, one meows very quietly, so I thought she never meowed, but the other cat is so loud and talks constantly.  I learn something new everyday.  I don’t think I’ve had to ask one person to repeat while speaking with them.  It’s great!”

“Good evening, Toby - For the first time in years, I used the phone several times without removing my old hearing aids and the real nice surprise was using a bud type radio, while the hearing aid was installed!  I’m still vain for an old guy, but I think this is a model I can enjoy.  I’m very pleased!”

“Dear Hearing Planet. Thank you for enhancing the quality of life for me and the people around me.  Before I decided to get hearing aids, I found I was not responding in meetings, and missing information. I never seemed to ‘get’ the name of persons that were introduced.  Finally I embarrassed myself and others by answering inappropriately when asked a question.  I am now more social, enjoy my grandchildren more, am a better partner in my marriage—and bonus—I can hear the birds, frogs and the laughter of children for the first time in years.”

I know it’s a bit self indulgent of us but these success stories are tremendously motivating to our team,

Steve.

The past 3 days I’ve spoken with three patients in the process of obtaining hearing aids for the first time.  All three shared an important similarity – they were still working and described their hearing loss as affecting not only their home and personal life, but also having a significant impact on their success at work.  One man was in sales and he was misunderstanding his clients, another described the embarrassment he felt missing crucial information in management meetings, and the other man (in his late 30s) had been demoted from a higher paying assembly line job to an office job because he couldn’t hear instructions from his supervisor.

All three instances reminded me of a study by The Better Hearing Institute in 2007 on the effects of potential lost income that results from untreated hearing loss.  Link here.  As much as $23,000 per year may be lost if hearing loss has been diagnosed but left untreated (i.e. hearing aids not used). 

Interestingly, all three men had known about, or suspected, their hearing loss for several years, but delayed taking action.  The urging of family members, today’s economic times and job security, and the firm promptings of their employers were the deciding factors for the three people to take action and be fit with hearing aids.

The Better Hearing Institute also follows in that study that with, “The use of hearing aids would appear to mitigate income loss by 50%.” Wow!  The study is incredibly detailed and is a solid reminder that hearing loss doesn’t just affect the obvious situations.

The idea of income loss had never been studied up to then, and is one of a number of factors hearing loss adversely affects in our lives.  Hearing loss affects not only the person experiencing the loss, but those closest to us – our family members, friends, co-workers, and everyone else we come into contact.  I’m reminded of this every day.  If you’re reading this, and are considering hearing aids, go ahead and reflect on how your hearing problems may impact so many other things and people around you.  Don’t hesitate to share those experiences by commenting on this post.

Steve