Hearing Aid Resistance

Hearing aids, even the most advanced and tiny devices available today, can have both pros and cons for users and it’s often a battle to encourage loved-ones to use their hearing aids in order to participate in conversations.

A recent review from the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group found that up to 40 per cent of adults with acquired hearing loss who have hearing aids are not using them or at least not to their best effect.

It is estimated that 1 in 10 Canadians suffer from acquired hearing loss due mostly to aging or noise damage and 50 per cent of those over 65 suffer from hearing loss.

Hearing loss is not only is frustrating but with age can become a source of isolation.  Complaints about the use of hear aids includes discomfort, overwhelming noise, hearing oneself chew (during meals) and lack of usefulness in a large crowd.

Proper fitting and training to better use hearing aids will help with the discomfort and can improve quality of life.  To get the most out of hearing aids, the wearer must be willing to make an effort to adapt and work with a provider to make necessary adjustments.

For more information about Canadian hearing aid subsidies, support and community resources visit the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association website at www.chha.ca .