Why hearing loss management is about more than which hearing aid you get…

According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 5% of the world’s population have hearing loss. That’s a staggering 430 million people worldwide. Having previously worked for a leading hearing aid manufacturer, I can tell you without a doubt that not all those people wear hearing aids. In fact, in the UK alone 6.7 million people could benefit from hearing aids, but only 2 million people wear them. In a country where free hearing aids are available on the NHS it’s a shocking statistic. It begs the question- why? 

Yes, some of it might be down to stigma. I’m willing to bet that’s what most people think. In an age where it’s cool to wear glasses, hearing aids just haven’t caught up. However, there’s more to the story if we dig a little deeper. 

Hearing aid technology has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years- there’s a style to suit everyone. There’s BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids, IIC (invisible in the canal) hearing aids, RIC (receiver in the canal) hearing aids, plus many more. However, what no audiologist wants is a ITD hearing aid- in the drawer! A hearing aid where the patient has given up, it hasn’t worked for them, or they just don’t like it. It whistles, or it’s uncomfortable or they just never wanted it in the first place. 

When an audiologist fits a hearing aid, it’s set according to your hearing test results. It amplifies to your hearing levels and you’re good to go right? Wrong. Hearing loss is so much more than just fitting to a prescription. Don’t get me wrong, it’s part of the solution but it’s not the whole solution. It never has been, and it never will. The reason for that is because a patient is more than a prescription. Everyone’s hearing loss affects them differently and that needs to be taken into consideration. Whether you have been fitted with hearing aids before or not, whether you have had your hearing loss for 5 years or 50 years, you should be treated differently. This affects the hearing aids you are suitable for, the way they are fitted and the aftercare you receive. All of this determines how successful you are with hearing aids and how you live with your hearing loss. 

Don’t get me wrong, hearing aids are never a replacement for your natural hearing, but they should help significantly. With well-fitting hearing aids, you should be able to wear them all day everyday comfortably. However, to communicate successfully you will also need to employ good communication tactics. Which is why I say the actual hearing aids are only 50% of the solution to your hearing loss. The other 50% comes down to ensuring they are set optimally for you within a full treatment plan that addresses your communication needs. 

To book in for hearing and communication consultation with me and receive your bespoke treatment plan, click the button at the top of the page.