The team at Duncan Hearing Healthcare treats hundreds of patients successfully for hearing loss each year at the Fall River, Centerville, and Dartmouth centers.
But throughout Massachusetts, many people are still waiting years before turning to a doctor of audiology to address their concerns.
With Hearing Health Awareness Month on the horizon, it’s important to discuss not only the life-changing treatment you can receive but also what might be holding you back.
If you’re concerned about hearing loss symptoms, these are some of the reasons why you or a loved one might not have sought expert help.
I’ll look older
The main reason why people wait for years to receive effective treatment is they’re concerned about the historic stigma surrounding hearing loss.
A lot of people consider it a sign of aging, believing it will change how people interact with them daily.
They also assume that, as soon as they see a doctor of audiology, they’ll prescribe them a bulky device, like they saw their grandparents wearing.
In fact, neither of these perceptions is true.
Today, hearing aids are extremely small, discrete devices, which are mostly unrecognizable to the untrained eye.
In addition, you’re far more likely to be considered older if you don’t pick up on conversations or shy away from noisy social situations.
It’s a big investment
Another common assumption is that hearing aids will be a big investment, meaning that treatment is affordable for only a select few individuals.
This is another belief that has been passed down through generations. But the team at Duncan Hearing believes treatment should be accessible to everyone.
If your condition could be significantly improved with hearing aids, your doctor of audiology will work hard to find an investment level that’s right for you.
Many health insurers also offer benefits or discounted plans for hearing care treatment, so you can dramatically reduce the amount you’ll need to invest.
I don’t know what to expect
Many people further worry about what the personal and professional repercussions might be if they’re diagnosed with a hearing loss.
So instead, they learn to cope without seeking treatment, adapting their behavior while being in denial of their issue.
The truth is hearing loss worsens the longer it’s left untreated. It can often lead to social problems, and studies have even suggested it can result in cognitive decline.
However, the treatments prescribed at Duncan Hearing can dramatically slow the rate of a hearing decline.
This means you’ll be best placed to take advantage of your life in the future and enjoy all the sounds the world has to offer.
Are you concerned about a hearing loss or know someone else who is? Contact the team at Duncan Hearing Healthcare, and they’ll help you today!
