The Many Misconceptions About Hearing Loss

A highly misunderstood topic, there are a lot of misconceptions about hearing loss, which is a shame, because having a hearing impairment is a widespread condition. Hearing loss isn’t just a disorder you are born with, it can happen gradually over time, or hearing loss can occur suddenly due to trauma. Since this is not a condition that discriminates, it is crucial to be able to distinguish fact from fiction to protect yourself. Minimizing the amount of inaccurate information that exists is necessary for the prevention of hearing loss.

To help clear up many of the inaccuracies floating around and set the record straight, learn more about some of the most common misconceptions about hearing loss.

People with Hearing Loss are Fluent in Sign Language

Sign language is a language in itself that takes time and practice, many hours’ worth, to learn. Having impaired hearing does not make you fluent in sign language. Most people who are fluent in sign language are primarily those who have been deaf for an extended period of time. In fact, for those with hearing loss that can speak, a hearing aid can often allow them to hear others.

Hearing Loss Only Affects the Elderly

While hearing loss can happen gradually as you age, hearing loss is not a condition that only affects senior citizens. A person could be born deaf or experience hearing loss after an illness or have experienced trauma. Unfortunately, this is the reason why many young people go undiagnosed. No one is too young to have hearing loss.

You Can Correct Hearing Loss with Surgery

While particular forms of hearing loss can be corrected by surgery, this is not a fix-all solution. In fact, surgical options for hearing loss only apply in particular cases, and cannot help everyone. Operable hearing loss is not the norm, as most people will not benefit from surgery and will have to seek out other treatment methods.

Hearing Loss is Not a Big Deal

Granted, hearing loss is not a death sentence, but it can have a significant impact on your quality of life, and even safety. Many people have problems coping with hearing loss, as they can no longer listen to music, or have to struggle to follow a conversation. Plus, a person with impaired hearing is at a higher risk for an accident and even slips and falls.

Hearing Aids Can Fix Your Hearing

Wearing hearing aids is considered to be a treatment method, not a cure. Wearing hearing aids takes time to get used to, as the person’s brain will take some time to adjust to sounds. While hearing aids can eventually restore hearing that has been lost, it is not 100%. A person’s hearing will still be slightly different than before while wearing hearing aids.