More than 50 years ago, a well-known actor went through the unfortunate event of losing his hearing while filming a western film. The incident occurred due to a gun going off accidentally close to his ears. This man ended up having to wear hearing aids in both ears for the remainder of his life. The one hearing aid was for hearing sounds, while the other hearing aid balanced any sounds he heard. This same man eventually became one of the presidents of the United States. 

When the accident occurred, this famous man became 1 of 24 million people in the U.S. who had issues with speech, language, or hearing. The National Hearing Aid Society has suggested that by 2050, we will see more people suffering from hearing problems than newborns in this country. This will contribute to an increasing number of aging people. 

Since there will be a lot more people needing hearing aids, manufacturers are working hard to ensure their products are given the best opportunity to succeed. Some of the improvements now include smaller hearing aids that are much more discreet (hidden just inside the outer ear), and devices that can differentiate between conversation and background noise. Regardless of these improvements, though, many hearing specialists admit that the overall effectiveness of these devices could do with a bit of help. When a person eventually loses the ability to hear over a number of years, a hearing aid is often difficult to get used to. 

Today there are various hearing aid devices on the market, yet the three most common include models that fit inside the bowl of your ear, the over-the-ear traditional model, and a model that fits inside your ear canal. Of course, the most popular and most expensive model is the one that fits inside the ear canal, and it is also the device that the former Commander in Chief wore. 

The Better Business Bureau states that the typical costs for hearing aids range from anywhere between $400 to $1,000 initially and usually include the consultation costs, the testing fees, and fitting. Most people assume that hearing loss mainly affects seniors or the elderly, but 20% of the hearing-impaired population is made up of school-going-aged children. 

One of the local hearing aid professionals thinks that ego and pride are contributing factors that have been preventing people who need help from seeking it. Yet, these belief systems have been undergoing radical changes. For the most part, people have started becoming accustomed to the fact that assistance is a requirement when hearing difficulties arise. In most cases, people don’t see or notice a hearing issue coming. 

There are a few symptoms and signs to look out for that may indicate the onset of hearing loss for these people. Some of these symptoms include asking people to repeat what they have said, inattentiveness, startling easily, asking to make a sound louder, followed by complaining that it is now too loud, showing an inconsistent response to sounds. There are also physical symptoms to look out for, including ear infections, dizziness, ringing sounds in one or both ears, withdrawal from friends and family, or frustration. 

There have also been many people that were told that there was no hope for their issue from their doctor’s, which is why they usually do not seek any further help. In most cases, these health care providers are referring to an inability to solve the problem naturally. But in most cases, hearing aids do help people to hear better. 

The idea that there is no hope once you lose your hearing has been around for many years. But the good news is that when you buy a hearing aid today, they come with a 30-day guarantee, which means if you do not like the product, it is now possible to get a refund. Of course, there are still cases in your refund that might be less due to the costs of the fitting and the consultation, but in most cases, you should get most of your money back. 

If you or your loved one seems to be experiencing symptoms related to hearing loss, schedule an appointment with an otolaryngologist or your doctor. If your physician cannot treat your hearing issue with medicine or surgery, they will refer you to the correct specialist to have your hearing tested. From here, the specialist will choose and fit your device and help you to become accustomed to your hearing aid. Many of the specialists also offer maintenance on units that they sell. 

Clinical audiologists are certified by the state Commission for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology to provide hearing loss services and products. Hearing aid audiologists share similar training, but not all of them have attended college. Either way, the National Hearing Aid Society clears and trains them to recommend and sell hearing aids. The clinical audiologists and hearing aid audiologists differ in the same way that ophthalmologists and opticians differ from one another. 

Regardless of where you decide to buy your hearing aid from, just make sure the person or practice is licensed. Some people don’t like the idea of having to wear hearing aids and probably won’t admit that they are lip-reading. But it is easy to see they can’t hear or understand what was said unless they are looking directly at you. It can take time to convince these types of people to seek help. But once you do, they will probably thank you when they can start to hear again.