{"id":2149,"date":"2023-01-27T16:35:15","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T22:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.entconsultants.net\/?p=2149"},"modified":"2023-01-27T16:35:16","modified_gmt":"2023-01-27T22:35:16","slug":"why-hearing-aids-are-different-from-glasses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entconsultants.net\/why-hearing-aids-are-different-from-glasses\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Hearing Aids Are Different from Glasses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

According to The Vision Council<\/a>, \u201cThere are 166.5 million US adults (63.7%) wearing Rx eyeglasses as of 2021.\u201d In contrast, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders<\/a> reports, \u201cAbout 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids\u201d; however, only one in five<\/a> people who could benefit actually uses one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These statistics show that wearing glasses is much more common than wearing hearing aids<\/a>. We review other differences between these two treatments for sensory loss below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing Aids Don\u2019t Restore \u201c20\/20\u201d Hearing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many people, when they put on a pair of prescription eyeglasses, their vision is essentially restored to 20\/20. Unfortunately, the same effect is not achieved by putting in a set of hearing aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because hearing aids do not actually restore hearing \u2013 instead, they amplify sounds to a volume the damaged ears can detect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing Aids Have an Adjustment Period<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With glasses, as soon as you put them on, you can see well. Again, hearing aids<\/a> are different in that they have an adjustment period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve waited a long time to treat your hearing loss, as most people do, your brain will need more time to re-learn how to process certain sounds. For example, it will take time and practice for your brain to focus on your conversation partner\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing Aids Require Follow-Up Visits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you leave your ophthalmologist\u2019s office, you probably won\u2019t need to return for a year or two. After visiting an audiologist, plan to come back two or three times over the next several months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you get a hearing test, it is in a soundproof booth. These results are what determine the programming of your hearing aids. However, in real-world situations, you may find that you need the programming to be different. This is why follow-up visits are essential: to get the programming just right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re sharing this information not to discourage you from getting hearing aids, but to give you realistic expectations about what the hearing rehabilitation process entails so you can achieve success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants<\/span> today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n