Your family and friends may not always be tactful about the words they use when telling you to get your hearing tested, but they mean well.
Unfortunately, most people don’t listen to the advice of those around them when it comes to seeking solutions for hearing challenges. There is a wide margin between the number of people with hearing loss and the number of people who seek treatment.
Worse yet, most people delay treatment up to seven years, waiting until their struggle with hearing loss becomes unbearable and they find themselves isolated and frustrated with their loved ones.
Scottsdale ENT is constantly beating the drum when it comes to sharing the importance of regular hearing tests and early detection, but many people are still holding out.
Common Reasons for Not Getting Your Hearing Tested
Patients in Scottsdale and nearby communities have told us what stopped them from getting the help they needed earlier. Here’s a list of some of the reasons they gave and the professional perspective of a hearing care provider.
“I’m getting along just fine.”
Hearing loss has a tendency to sneak up on you, so you may think you’re getting along just fine while the damage is continuing to get worse.
“Only OLD people have hearing problems.”
Nobody wants to feel old, but hearing loss can impact people of all ages.
“Hearing aids cost too much.”
In comparison to the costs of social isolation, the development of dementia, critical injuries from accidents and falls, and other consequences of untreated hearing loss, hearing aids are actually pretty inexpensive.
“I hear just fine out of my good ear.”
The majority of cases where there is hearing loss in one ear, there is also hearing loss in the other.
“I don’t want to wear hearing aids.”
The stigma associated with hearing aids is rapidly disappearing thanks to new innovations that make them smaller, lighter, and more discreet to wear.
“My hearing really isn’t bothering anybody else.”
Even if you’re coping with your hearing loss just fine, the people around you are likely having to work hard to cope with your disability, perhaps even to the point of altering their own lifestyles to accommodate your impairment.
What Are Our Patients Saying After Getting the Help They Needed?
Though our patients once thought the way you do, putting off getting the help they needed because of one or several of the above reasons, when they discovered that better hearing makes a big difference in their lives, they changed their tune.
Here’s what they say now.
Jim says, “Easy and quick to schedule a comprehensive exam or an evaluation with a professional audiologist for any ear, nose, or throat issue … they all may be interrelated.”
Barbara shares that her overall distrust of doctors was eliminated. “Excellent doctors and staff. Very professional, yet compassionate and good listeners, making my ‘white coat syndrome’ nonexistent during my visits!”
William was impressed by the follow-up care he received. “They don’t waste your time, they are always on their game, they follow up assiduously.”
“I was pleased with my issues being addressed and the treatment offered,” says Suzanne.
Lorraine also expresses her appreciation, saying, “I was fitted with hearing aids several years ago and chose the top-of-the-line rechargeable ReSound brand and have been very happy with them and the service and care I receive.”
“They listen to your problems very carefully and they understand what you’re going through, very comforting,” says Antonio.
Your Next Steps
Every one of our patients who has achieved better hearing would tell you that they wished they had taken action to treat their hearing loss sooner.
So, here’s the bottom line.
You can continue to struggle with your hearing until it becomes a debilitating problem or, like these patients, you can get the help you need from people who are ready to listen and help you achieve better hearing and a better quality of life.
If you feel ready to get the help you need for your hearing challenges, your future self will thank you for clicking on the link below or calling us at 480-684-1080 to schedule a consultation today!
