How much of your perception is reality often depends on your view as an individual. Our perceptions influence how we focus on, process, remember, interpret, understand, synthesize, decide about, and act on reality. It’s common for many people to assume that how we perceive reality is an accurate representation of what reality truly is but perceptions can be wrong and this can be embarrassing, or even dangerous. If you or your loved ones think you may be losing your hearing then now is as good a time as any to get your hearing checked. Clarisound offers online hearing checks. It’s quick, easy and free!
Perceived hearing loss
The latest research in the Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research compared perceived hearing difficulties in older adults. The study compared the perceived hearing difficulties of a community sample, selected at random, to two clinical samples; one without hearing aids, the other with hearing aids. The study found that older adults from the community who didn’t seek help for hearing difficulties reported less difficulty, and greater lack of awareness, of communication problems, than those who went for help at an audiology clinic. This isn’t a surprising conclusion as people often avoid things they think they don’t need, or don’t realize they don’t need. But this can lead to problems building up and greater risks of accidents. However the study also found that, for older adults who had a hearing check at a clinic, those who then wore hearing aids perceived greater communication difficulties in all environments, had greater awareness of communication difficulties, and were more accepting of their hearing loss. These older adults also tended to give more responsibility for their own hearing difficulties to others, compared to those who sought clinical assistance but did not start wearing hearing aids.
Perceptions of hearing aids
This research confirms what any good audiologist will tell you, that fitting and wearing a suitable hearing aid will improve your sense of hearing as it restores your hearing, and your quality of life. So what are you, and your loved ones waiting for? Perceptions work in many ways and the first thing that many people think when they find out that they need to start wearing a hearing aid is that it will affect their personal image in a negative way. Great advances have been made, and are continually being made, in both hearing aid technology and hearing aid design. It’s now possible to fit a hearing aid so small that almost no one will be able to see it. It’s also possible to wear a hearing aid that matches so well with your ear that it’s virtually invisible.
Please don’t hesitate to book an appointment for a free hearing check and consultation with one of our friendly, professional audiology consultants. We can certainly help to restore your hearing and we may even change your perceptions too!