A Sound Perspective: An Audiologist’s Journey with Hearing Aids
My personal journey with hearing loss began suddenly. One night when I was four years old, I went to bed with normal hearing, and the next morning, I woke up to discover that it had significantly deteriorated. While my mother suspects an illness or virus may have caused it, the reason for my hearing loss remains unknown. Shortly after, I was officially diagnosed with moderate to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. Within weeks, I was fitted with hearing aids – a decision that would shape both my personal and professional life.
Personal Journey with Hearing Loss: Decades of Hearing Aids
For nearly forty years, I’ve worn hearing aids. Despite temporarily working in the noisy field of landscape construction, my hearing has remained relatively stable. I took precautions, wearing double hearing protection while using stone saws and other loud equipment to prevent further damage. It wasn’t always easy, but those experiences helped me better understand how important it is to protect the hearing I still had.
Empathy and Breaking the Stigma
Living with hearing loss has given me a unique perspective as an Audiologist. I have empathy toward people with hearing loss because I am one of them myself. When people meet me in the office and are just learning that they have hearing loss, they might feel nervous, but then they see a fairly young guy wearing hearing aids. I don’t fit the mold of a typical hearing aid wearer. My own experience helps me provide a realistic understanding of what hearing aids can and can’t do, which often comforts patients who are hesitant about taking the first step.
I also use my story to dispel common misconceptions about hearing aids. Many people fear they’ll look older if they wear them, but I always argue that it’s the opposite. Hearing aids don’t make you seem old – missing key parts of conversations does though. I also say that you’ll feel younger when you wear hearing aids because you’re taking care of your health. I also like to joke that if my hearing aids aren’t noticeable on my bald head, how can someone with a full head of hair worry about them being too visible?
Challenges Can Still Arise
Living with hearing loss, even with hearing aids, can still present challenges. For many, hearing in crowded environments with background noise remains a struggle, and I understand that all too well. For me, COVID-19 highlighted some of those difficulties. Masks made it harder to rely on non-verbal cues like lip-reading, and drive-thru conversations became especially frustrating because I couldn’t hear or fully understand what the person behind the mask was saying.
Advancements in Hearing Aid Technology
Despite those challenges, I’m a strong advocate for hearing aids because I understand firsthand their incredible impact on people’s lives. As both a hearing aid wearer and a Clinician, I have an insider’s view of how rapidly hearing aid technology has evolved. My first hearing aids were bulky and required screwdrivers to adjust settings. Today’s hearing aids are digital, powered by AI, equipped with Bluetooth, and can stream TV, answer phone calls, and even summon Siri. The smaller and more advanced the technology gets, the easier it becomes for people to use them.
Even after decades of wearing hearing aids, I’m still amazed at the sounds I rediscover with each new pair. “You don’t know what you’re missing until you experience it,” I tell my patients. Every time I upgrade, I find myself hearing sounds I hadn’t noticed before, which is why I always encourage people to stay up to date with the latest advancements.
Advice for the Reluctant: Start Sooner Rather than Later
When people ask for my advice about hearing aids, I tell them: the sooner you can get them, the better. Research has shown that hearing aids are one of the top things that an individual can invest in to help prevent cognitive decline.
Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing and a Better Life
With so many styles, price ranges, technologies, and trial periods available, there’s a hearing aid for everyone! Having experienced the profound benefits of hearing aids myself, I wholeheartedly encourage anyone experiencing hearing loss to take that first important step toward better hearing health and a richer quality of life. The right hearing aid can make all the difference – and the journey to finding the perfect fit starts with exploring your options.
If you would like to experience Michael’s expert care at Masonville Place, we invite you to visit us. Call us at 1-888-811-9799 or book your appointment today to start your journey toward better hearing!
