Every day, we receive phone calls from people in our area who are worried about their hearing or that of a loved one. They often have questions and concerns, and they’re unsure of what to do.
The problem is that many of them don’t have a point of reference related to hearing challenges among their circle of friends and loved ones, so they don’t know who to turn to for advice.
If this describes you or somebody you know, then this article should provide some help.
A handful of our patients have been kind enough to open up and share their experiences with hearing loss and hearing care. They were eager to be involved in helping others just like them to find the help and hope they need to overcome their hearing challenges.
Here are a couple of those stories from Physicians Hearing Care patients.
Make life easier for yourself and others
That’s the advice given by David Newton, who came to Physicians Hearing Care to help ease the frustration and friction among family members his hearing challenges were causing.
A lot of the frustration revolved around the volume of the TV, which made it possible for David to hear, but was way too loud for everyone else.
David admits, “Having the volume turned up loud on the TV and radio has not been pleasant.” Though his wife never complained, he knows “it bothered her.”
The other source of irritation among family members was the frequency with which he was asking others to repeat themselves. This was frustrating for David as well, because he wanted to hear what they said, but he simply wasn’t able due to hearing loss.
Prior to his appointment at PHC Tennessee, David was worried about the stigma associated with hearing aids. “None of the people in my age group wore them,” he explains.
During David’s initial consultation, which included a comprehensive hearing test, his audiologist explained “that not only would the hearing aid amplify sounds, but the sound of mumbling by others would become more clear.”
David reports that he now enjoys “clearer sound, understanding others better, and hearing things I had not heard in years.”
He doesn’t pull any punches when he delivers advice to those struggling with their hearing: “Suck it up, cupcake. Make life easier for yourself and others, because after a while, even your BFL will get tired of hearing ‘What did you say?’”
This is going to improve your life so much!
Another of our patients, Cindy Allen, also chose to share her story.
Cindy became concerned about her hearing when she noticed that she was starting to miss out on life events. That’s when she realized:
“I didn’t want to miss out on life because I couldn’t hear.”
On her first visit to Physicians Hearing Care, she didn’t know much about hearing aids. However, she soon learned, after just one day, that she could hear what people were saying and was also impressed that she could stream her hearing devices through Bluetooth on her phone.
She emphasizes that she loved her hearing aids from the moment she put them on.
Cindy has nothing but good things to say about her PHC experience:
“My audiologist was personable, friendly, and knowledgeable, and the staff will help and guide you to find the solution that works best for your hearing issues. You can trust them to educate you on the latest technology, and they will factor your personal issues into the consultation. This is going to improve your life so much!”
Cindy encourages people to not be afraid to give PHC a try.
These are just two of countless stories of individuals in our area who realized their hearing was not what it once was and made a commitment to address it.
You can read and pass along more stories just like this one to family and friends who might benefit from them by following this link.
Two Common Roadblocks to Getting Help
Statistics show that people wait up to seven years from first realizing that they have a hearing loss to finally getting the help they need. However, once they begin to receive treatment, every one of them tells us that they wish they had acted sooner.
Left untreated, your hearing challenges will get worse rather than go away, and to make matters worse, what you lose can never be recovered. Consequently, protecting your hearing health and seeking treatment as soon as possible are incredibly important.
Here are two of the most common reasons why people put off seeking treatment.
#1—The stigma of being a hearing aid wearer
David mentioned this roadblock in his story.
Let’s face it: nobody grows up looking forward to the day that they can become a hearing aid wearer. Unfortunately, unless there is some giant breakthrough in medical research, hearing aids continue to be the most effective way to reconnect with others and enjoy the lifestyle and quality of life that come with better hearing.
In reality, the stigma is an outdated one, because today’s hearing technology is far more discreet than the hearing aids that many of us remember from the years gone by. They can be color-matched to your skin/hair color, and they are small, lightweight, and incredibly powerful.
Many of our patients who have been fitted with them have shared that their family, friends, and colleagues haven’t even noticed them!
If you’re hesitant about seeking help because you don’t want to be a “hearing aid wearer,” then you’re encouraged to at least schedule an appointment and see what modern hearing aids look and sound like—you’ll be surprised at what you discover!
#2—They’re too much of an investment
We’re not going to try to pull the wool over your eyes. Modern hearing technology and hearing care require a significant investment.
This is due to the advanced research and expert craftsmanship put into hearing aids in order to make them more user-friendly as well as capable of producing very nearly natural hearing clarity, even in a crowded room.
Though an over-the-counter device may seem like a more affordable option, without the time and expertise of a hearing care expert to partner with you, you’re apt to come up short when it comes to achieving your better hearing objective.
The most important thing is to have a conversation and allow us to help you explore your options and find solutions that meet your unique circumstances, lifestyle, and budget.
What Do I Do Next?
If the stories from David and Cindy struck a chord with you and you’re ready to take the next step, we congratulate your decision. Your next step is to schedule a hearing evaluation with one of our doctors of audiology at Physicians Hearing Care.
You can do that by filling in a form or you can give us a call at the PHC location nearest you. A member of our team will assist you in scheduling your appointment.
Call:
Park West—Knoxville at (865) 693-6065 ext. 125
Fort Sanders—Knoxville at (865) 693-6065 ext. 280
Lenoir City at (865) 292-3560
Tellico Village—Loudon at (865) 693-6065 ext. 270
Morristown at (423) 585-7438
