Many people are worried that hearing aids come in massive cases that stick out like a sore thumb and make you seem old. In reality, modern hearing aids are sleek, sophisticated devises that sit snugly behind the ear in barely noticeable shells. Some hearing aids sit in the outer ear, or even in the ear canal, making them practically invisible! This makes them comfortable and practical, as well as discreet. With modern hearing aids, the only thing people will be noticing is how well you can hear.

If you’ve been putting off getting hearing aids because you want to avoid “looking old,” think again. Hearing loss can affect people of all ages. In fact, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states that 14% of adults between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss! They also report that one in eight people over the age of 12 have hearing loss in both ears. If you’ve been putting off seeking treatment because of age, it’s time to reevaluate.

Many people think that hearing aids only make sounds louder and might even make sounds too loud. Perhaps you had a friend who said her hearing aids just made everything loud and squeaky and didn’t help her hear. While it’s unfortunate your friend bought a hearing aid that didn’t match her hearing needs, you’ll know that hearing aids aren’t just about making sounds louder. Today’s hearing aids are advanced minicomputers that analyze the environment, automatically change between programs and settings, balance sound levels based on the noises around you, and fill in the gaps in your hearing.

It’s a common misconception that your family doctor will be the first to notice your hearing loss. In reality, your doctor may be the last person to realize you’re struggling to hear! Only 14% of doctors perform a hearing test as part of routine check-ups, and when you have an appointment, they focus on the health problem you’re most concerned with. Even if you usually struggle to hear in conversations, you may hear just fine in quiet settings, such as the doctor’s office. Not only that you’re focusing very hard on what’s being said and are more likely to catch the meaning of what’s being said. No wonder your doctor doesn’t realize you’re not hearing clearly!

The first ones to notice your hearing loss are often your family. If they complain that you’ve been turning up the TV too loud, can’t hear them when you’re on the phone, or keep asking them to repeat themselves, you should accept the fact that you might have hearing loss.