Here at ACA, we know that what you, the patient, thinks and experiences is an important part of your hearing healthcare. For that reason, we are collecting stories from patients – like you! If you’d like to share your hearing journey with our readers, please click here to send us an email. Meanwhile, please enjoy this perspective from a long-time hearing aid user.
I’ve been wearing hearing aids for more years than I can remember. This move was prompted by family and friends getting on my case, since I was always asking them to repeat themselves or saying, “Huh?” a lot! Although the technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is today, and my first aids were bulky and noticeable, I was immediately thankful that I’d gotten over my reluctance (vanity).
I will never forget walking into my back yard when I got home from picking up my new hearing aids and being overwhelmed by the sounds of the birds – of which I had not been at all aware. Admittedly, I had my hairstyle changed so my hair covered my ears with this first pair. But later, when the aids became smaller and much less noticeable, I no longer worried about this. Unless I made it known, everyone was totally unaware that I wore hearing aids.
Setting an example for friends, I try my best to influence those with hearing loss to get their hearing tested and determine if hearing aids will help them. This pestering finally had a positive effect on my best friend, who has balked at taking this step for the past 4 years. She is very averse to change and was very anxious about having to learn some new technology, but finally got tested and fitted with hearing aids. Following her fitting, I received many texts and phone calls – some frustration- and expletive-filled. I advised her to be patient and to keep using them, and she soon realized how much better her life is now that she can hear again.
-SA
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