Our hearing aids do a lot more than just amplify sound.  Communication is often the primary function that we ask hearing aids to fill in our lives. What you should also know that your hearing aids can be brain activators, emergency notification tools, and electronic communication systems. 

Hearing Aids Help Your Brain

Even when we are home and socially isolating, it is important for us to keep our brain active and processing sound. In a study that tracked 639 adults for nearly 12 years, researchers at Johns Hopkins found that even a mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk, and severe hearing losses were five times more likely to develop dementia when left untreated. Untreated hearing loss also led to an increase in falls.

In fact, access to incidental sounds even without direct communication is critical in keeping the brain activated and processing sound.  We have some patients who have us turn off the background noise reduction feature on their hearing aids because they are more comfortable and relaxed with constant sound inputs.  In short, hearing incidental sounds is important for your brain, especially if you live alone and have limited direct communication.

Hearing Aids Are A Gateway For Emergency Alerts

Hearing alarms and sirens are made easier when you are wearing your hearing aids, not to mention making you a whole lot safer. Further, remember all the “new” sounds heard when first receiving amplification? Many of my patients in the past have commented that they “never realized how loud the refrigerator was” or that a “belt in their car had been squeaking and needed repair.” Hearing all sounds — not just the ones we want to hear — is important to your health and safety. Some of our hearing aids also have a fall detector and will send a text message to your loved ones through your phone if you should fall and need help. 

Hearing Aids Are Connectivity Devices

All of the hearing aids we dispense are designed to help you stay socially connected to loved ones, friends and colleagues. These hearing aids have the ability to connect to smartphones, tablets, and the television. For the first time, you can watch television at a comfortable volume for you without things being too loud for your family. 

With our hearing aids and their direct connection abilities, you can easily place a Facetime call, call your neighbor, or engage in a Zoom video chat with your family.  We have had numerous patients thank us for taking away their "fear of phone" and getting them back in touch with family and friends.

As someone so aptly put it years ago, "To hear better is to live better".

Being apart from our friends and loved ones during this time is difficult. But hearing the small incidental sounds around us can make us better hearers, safer, and more connected.