"Should I get hearing aids?"

You may get patients that ask about hearing aids. Hearing aid technology is not what it used to be. We now recommend amplification options for any degree of hearing loss to avoid the long term health effects associated with untreated hearing loss such as depression, anxiety, and dementia. 

Dr. Frank Lin, who conducted the study at Johns Hopkins Hospital that linked hearing loss with dementia, has suggested that properly fit hearing aids may reverse or prevent cognitive decline associated with auditory deprivation. Hearing aids are all digital and can be programmed to an individual’s specific needs, and they are an appropriate recommendation for most hearing losses that cannot be resolved medically. 

They are much easier to tolerate than they used to be and come in a wide range of styles to fit anyone’s lifestyle - including rechargeable options for those that would rather not change batteries, and Bluetooth options for those that want to connect to their smartphone or TV. Patients who are interested in hearing aids should be referred for a hearing evaluation first with a licensed audiologist. The audiologist can discuss what options would work best for them. Encourage your patients to consider hearing aids. They will be happy they did.

Trusted since 1942, Constance Brown Hearing Centers is your local hearing healthcare expert, where personalized service and technology meet.