Hearing aids could seem like a sign of advanced hearing loss for many – after all, if you had perfect hearing capabilities, you probably wouldn’t need a sophisticated device to amplify your exterior environment’s soundscape.

That said, hearing aids are more than just a binary device you either need or won’t need. A pair of crutches, for example, may be used on those wearing casts for broken bones, or they may just be used to help someone with their mobility or when dealing with the current implication of a condition such as diabetes.

In much the same way, hearing aids can be used for a wide array of purposes, as hearing loss itself is a broad spectrum. So, do you need a hearing aid for mild hearing loss? Let’s consider that below.

What Might I Need a Hearing Aid For?

Hearing aids are generally used to help people with hearing loss. That much is understood. But the hearing loss, as we mentioned, is a spectrum. It may be that your hearing loss is much more pronounced in one ear, and so with amplification devices, you can bring back that symmetrical hearing capability you’re used to.

A hearing aid can also be used to help you better distinguish certain sounds, like speech, in a noisy environment. With new devices, connecting to Bluetooth to listen to music or content more easily can provide a similar provision to headphones, only properly balanced to the intricate needs of someone with hearing loss.

When Will an Audiologist Recommend a Hearing Aid?

To put it simply, an audiologist will recommend a hearing aid if they think one could benefit you. This doesn’t mean you’re going deaf, and it might not even mean your hearing loss is particularly pronounced or progressing.

Hearing aids have become much more sophisticated in terms of the finer degree of amplification they can offer. It might be that your hearing loss has occurred due to damage to your inner ear or auditory nerve thanks to sudden onset migraines. It may be that your hearing loss has been generated by consistent exposure to loud noises a part of your work.

As such, a qualified audiologist will undergo a complex inspection and evaluate the exact needs you have and discuss with you how a hearing aid may benefit you in your day-to-day life. This is also a possibility if you have mild hearing loss.

Is a Hearing Aid a Sign That Your Hearing Loss is Getting Worse?

Hearing loss is known as a progressive condition, in that it tends to become more pronounced over time. In general, this should be expected even if you have perfect hearing, because as we age the condition of the inner-ear ages along with us, and as such our ability to distinguish high-frequency sounds can deteriorate.

Hearing aids address hearing loss by amplifying the sounds of the exterior environment in a sophisticated manner, this process is optimized by an audiologist. But that doesn’t mean your hearing loss is getting worse or accelerating at a pronounced rate. It simply means that you’d gain the benefit of a hearing aid, which as they develop in technical capabilities, they are becoming more common to see.

So – don’t worry if an audiologist recommends a hearing aid. They will be able to give you the precise reasons why this could benefit you, and also which variants are most appropriate to your situation.

Who Should I Contact for the Best Hearing Aid Advice?

A reliable audiologist will be able to inspect your hearing capacity and provide a precise evaluation of your given needs right now and how to better provide for them. They will educate you regarding every step of the process and assuage any concerns or questions you have. On top of this, they will be able to schedule regular revisits so your potential hearing aid can be programmed and tuned according to your needs.

An audiologist will also be able to talk you through your options, from behind the ear, in the ear, and in the canal variants. As with any medical device, they can also showcase which brands are worth using and what models may be appropriate to your situation, as well as any additional feature sets like Bluetooth connectivity you may wish to opt for.

At The Hearing and Tinnitus Center, all of this will be provided as standard. You can contact our friendly team today at (720) 420-7780. We look forward to speaking with you!

Tags: faqs, hearing aid basics