Hear From the Experts

By MJ DeSousa
Audiologist & Director of Patient Experience at Beltone

Hearing is such a crucial component of our human experience, and, as an audiologist, I understand the importance of early detection in preserving your communication and enhancing your quality of life. To paraphrase Hellen Keller: When you lose your sight, you lose your connection to things, but when you lose your hearing, you lose your connection to people. I think this quote really underscores the role hearing plays in our ability to form human connections.

It’s important to detect hearing loss early, as it’s one of the most common chronic health conditions in North America, after heart disease and arthritis. People don’t realize how common hearing loss is because it is invisible and generally happens gradually. This means people tend to adapt and tolerate it longer than necessary. Living with untreated hearing loss can have significant impacts socially, physically, and cognitively:

• Socially: Because we rely on our hearing for communication and much of our interaction with the world, untreated hearing loss causes many situations to feel stressful or embarrassing, which can lead to avoidance of these situations. This can lead to social isolation, feelings of loneliness, and depression. It can also have a negative impact at work and on relationships.


• Physically: Untreated hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk of falling, which can have devastating consequences, especially as we age.


• Cognitively: Our ears detect sound, but our brain interprets those sounds and understands them. To help us age in a healthy way, it’s important to keep those connections between the ear and brain active and strong throughout our life.

Recognizing the early signs of hearing loss is essential for taking the first step toward better hearing. By consulting with a hearing care professional, you can address any potential hearing issues and explore solutions such as hearing aids. To assist you on this journey, I have curated a list of early warning signs, along with information on how hearing aids can significantly improve your daily life.

Early Warning Signs of Hearing Loss

• People Seem to Mumble More Frequently
  It may seem like people are mumbling more often. You can tell they’re speaking to you, and you can hear them, but it’s not always clear and not as easy to understand as it used to be.


• You Experience Ringing in Your Ears
  Tinnitus, or ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears, can be more than just annoying—it often indicates hearing damage and should not be ignored, especially if it persists.


• Playing Devices at Louder Volumes
  Family and friends might notice you’re listening to the TV or music more loudly than you used to, or that it’s generally being played too loudly for others.


• You Have Trouble Hearing Important Environmental Sounds
  Failing to hear familiar household sounds like doorbells, timers, or the kettle whistling, as well as emergency sirens and birds chirping, could mean your hearing sensitivity is decreasing.


• Difficulty in Group Conversations and Asking People to Repeat Themselves
  Especially if multiple conversations are happening in a group at the same time, or if there’s background music, you may notice you’re misunderstanding what’s being said or asking people to repeat themselves more often than before.


• Feeling Fatigued
  If you notice an increased feeling of fatigue after social and group situations, it’s likely because you’re having to exert more effort and concentration to try to hear and understand what’s being said, which can be tiring for your brain.

While these signs may seem minor and are commonly associated with aging, they are important early indicators of hearing loss. If you notice any changes in your hearing or are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment and get your hearing checked by a professional.

Benefits of Treating Hearing Loss With Hearing Aids

The great news is that hearing technology is better than it’s ever been before. The sound quality of modern hearing aids is phenomenal and quite natural. The options in terms of size are much better than in the past, and they now offer innovative features that allow the hearing aid technology to seamlessly integrate into modern living. For example, hearing aids can now connect to your smartphone, so you can stream music and even phone calls directly to your hearing aids. These are not your grandparents’ hearing aids anymore!

Incorporating hearing aids into your life to improve your hearing can be transformational. You’re likely to see improvements in several areas of your life, including:

1. Communication
   Hearing aids enhance the ability to understand speech in noisy environments, leading to clearer conversations and reduced social isolation.


2. Mental Health
   Consistent hearing aid use has been associated with reductions in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness.


3. Independence and Safety
   Hear alarms, traffic, and other important sounds, contributing to a safer living environment and increased confidence in navigating daily activities independently.


4. Cognitive Function
   Treating hearing loss early with hearing aids may mitigate effects of dementia and cognitive decline.


5. Professional Life
   Hearing loss has been shown to affect income earning potential, as struggling to hear can be mentally exhausting and lead to mistakes. Wearing hearing aids can mitigate the effects of hearing loss by 20% to 50% and lead to better job performance and less fatigue.


6. Hobbies and Activities
   Hearing aid wearers can re-engage with hobbies and activities they used to enjoy like music, television, and outdoor activities.


7. Physical Health
   Using hearing aids may decrease the risk of falls by improving balance and spatial awareness.

The decision to use hearing aids is an important proactive step toward maintaining and actively improving your quality of life. I invite you to visit your local Beltone for a free hearing screening or annual checkup. Let us help you embark on a journey to better hearing and a fuller, more connected life!

About the Expert:

MJ DeSousa is an Audiologist and Director of Patient Experience at Beltone, with over 35 years of experience in hearing health care. She earned her Masters of Clinical Science in Audiology from Western University in London, Ontario and has extensive experience as a practicing Audiologist and in corporate leadership within the hearing industry. At Beltone, DeSousa is dedicated to educating hearing care professionals across North America, ensuring they provide the highest standard of patient care. Learn more by visiting her LinkedIn here.