Socialising and Hearing Aids - Do They Really Help?

With autumn here, it’s “back to school” for many of your local clubs and societies that may have taken a short break over the summer months. It’s likely that you will be socialising more, whether it’s attending local meetings, picking up your favourite hobbies and sports again or simply enjoying dinners or parties with friends and family.

However, if you suffer from hearing loss, some of these activities can be difficult. Struggling to hear what people are saying around you can be disorienting, overwhelming, and tiring - taking the enjoyment out of many activities. A busy environment with lots of background noise, such as a room at a party, can be particularly problematic. Fortunately, with the right set of modern hearing aids, you can navigate diverse listening environments with greater ease and confidence.

Social butterfly

More than 11 million people in the UK are living with hearing loss – that’s 1 in 6 of us. Action on Hearing Loss further estimates that this figure will go up to 15.6 million by 2035. Research has shown that hearing loss affects your quality of life, leading to feelings of isolation, social withdrawal and at times depression.

People with hearing loss tend to avoid social situations, especially those where the background noise levels prevent them from hearing well. This includes attending parties, going to the pub, and even speaking on the phone.

The use of hearing aids can significantly enhance a person's quality of life by improving speech understanding, reducing listening effort, and easing communication in social settings. Thus leading to a more active and socially engaging life, as well as contributing to improved emotional wellbeing. Hearing aid users are also less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, and due to improvements in cognitive function, are even less likely to develop dementia compared to those who leave a hearing loss untreated.

Types of hearing aids

Today's advanced digital hearing aids are making the most of AI and Bluetooth technologies. They are more powerful, connectivity friendly, and more discreet than ever. Models such as the Oticon Intent range, Oticon Zeal, as well as Starkey's Omega AI range, are packed with exceptional technology to make it automatically easier for you to listen to what you want to hear, even in some noisier environments. There are several types of hearing aids available on the market. Your audiologist will help you choose what device is best suited to you, your hearing loss, and your lifestyle. Hearing aid styles include:

• Completely in the Canal (CIC) hearing aids are very small and almost invisible. These are custom made and sit deep inside the ear canal. They are most suited to people with mild to moderate hearing losses and sufficient ear canal space.
• Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) also known as Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids provide a discreet rechargeable option. The microphones and processor are housed behind the ear, connected to an extremely thin wire to the speaker which is worn comfortably in the ear canal. These devices provide the most natural sound quality and clarity, and are suitable for people with mild to profound hearing losses. Due to their comfort, sound quality and ability to accomodate most hearing losses, they are usually the most popular choice.
• Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aids are more powerful usually suited for those in need of considerate amplification. The electronics are all housed behind the ear making these devices slightly larger, with a hollow tube leading the amplified sound into the ear canal.

Even if you only have a mild hearing loss, hearing aids can be significantly helpful in helping you navigate daily life and the challenges of social situations, enabling you to make the most of your activities, and keeping you living your life to the full!

Pop by for a visit

Find your local Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care store and book in for a FREE hearing test now. This can also include a hearing aid demonstration to help showcase the difference a hearing aid can make to those with a hearing loss.

We pride ourselves as experts in world leading digital hearing aid technologies from a range of specialist manufacturers including Oticon, Starkey, Phonak, Widex and more.

For more information or to book a FREE hearing test, call us on 0800 40 20 20 or visit your local branch. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online.