Are you having a hard time getting motivated to use hearing aids? You might consider rethinking your position. The truth is your lack of hearing probably holds you back more than you realize.
Studies show that untreated hearing loss has a substantial effect on brain health, as well. According to Medscape, about 40 to 50 percent of adults over the age of 65 have a measurable hearing loss, which might explain the continued rise in conditions like dementia. Degraded speech due to hearing loss means your brain has to work harder to understand words and that draws resources you need for other things like memory.
Maybe it’s time to turn the tables on your thinking and wonder how having hearing aids might improve the quality of your life and even motivate you. It is not a stretch when you understand what not hearing well costs you. Consider some ways just wearing hearing aids can get you motivated.
Let’s talk about your concentration level
How many things have you missed? That’s a question you need to ask yourself as you struggle with the concept of hearing aids.
- What about that important number during your last business meeting?
- Are you really following the plot on your favorite TV show or do you always feel like you are behind?
- How about the little things like hearing a grandchild tell you a story or the cat rewarding you with a soft purr?
These are the things you don’t concentrate on right now because you have hearing loss. Chances are you don’t even know you are those missing things. Put on some hearing aids and see what changes. The first thing you might notice is your concentration level now has rocket fuel. You are more focused than ever and that is certainly something to get you motivated.
Better concentration means you perform better in all ways whether it’s at work, in your personal relationships or just taking in what is going on around you.
Feel engaged finally
Hearing loss can lead you to feel disconnected from your life, but hearing aids put you back in control. Suddenly you know the:
- Who
- What
- Where
- Why
You are getting all the information once again. With hearing aids, you can sit and talk with a friend and actually understand what is being said. You can go to movies and either turn the sound down or up, depending on your needs. You can go out to dinner and not be intimidated by the background noise that is threatening to mess up the evening. It’s your life, so let hearing aids help you engage in it.
Lose the fear
Hearing loss can make you afraid and for good reason. You can’t hear that car coming your way as you cross the street, for example. All the things you once loved to do like go for an evening jog or hiking that new trail seems riskier when you can’t hear what is going on around you.
Hearing aids mean the stuff that put you at risk before like the moving car are no longer an issue. When shopping for hearing devices, the retailer will ask you what things you want to do and help pick features to accommodate that lifestyle you probably once thought was out of reach.
Better balance
Hearing loss is often accompanied by balance problems because hearing and balance both rely on the inner ear. A study conducted by Washington University School of Medicine found that wearing hearing aids can improve balance, especially in people with age-related hearing loss. What this means for you is more motivation to try new things. Maybe you’ll finally get on the bike and explore the trails in your city. How about joining the company softball team or enjoying bowling in a league once again?
It is easy to get bogged down in general when you are fighting to hear every sound. Instead of trying to work up the motivation to get hearing aids, flip that coin and imagine how having them can motivate you.