What Stops Most People from Addressing Their Hearing Challenges?

It’s one of the biggest challenges that we face.

As an industry, the number of people that decide to treat a hearing loss versus the number of people that have hearing challenges is a big problem.

The challenge is that many people decide to delay the treatment of a hearing loss until it becomes unbearable to continue, or in many cases, they decide to ignore their hearing challenges all together and find them selves isolated thus frustrating their loved ones.

Although we are constantly raising the flag for the importance of regular hearing testing, and early detection, many people still choose to put their head in the sand and ignore their hearing challenges.

That’s why we asked a number of our patients to share their story, when they realized that they needed to take action, and their experience.

The first person to share their experience is Amy.

Often asking her family to speak up, Amy found social situations uncomfortable and had a hard time hearing those around her. Ten years later, she finally decided to get hearing aids. However, as soon as she did, she wished that she had got them sooner.

At first, she had two concerns: how much the hearing aids would cost and the maintenance of the devices. Any fears she had about hearing aids soon disappeared when she visited North Houston Hearing Solutions. She found the staff particularly pleasant. “All interactions with the people at North Houston Hearing Solutions have been great from the first time to when I had an issue with my hearing aids a few months after getting them.”

She now loves her hearing aids and no longer has to ask her family to speak louder. Amy can hear conversations better and be “involved in conversations in general.” Best of all, “Nobody can tell I even have hearing aids.” Amy encourages others to visit the clinic and get their hearing tested.

Another great story comes from Don.

Don first realized he had a hearing loss while he was at work, as he struggled to understand voices from far away. “I was in an important meeting at work when I realized that I was having a hard time hearing. I was seated towards the middle of a large conference table and I could not understand the people at either end.”

“I discovered that if I pushed my ear lobes out, my ability to hear everyone significantly improved. At that moment, I realized I needed help.”

When the time came to treating his hearing loss, Don first approached his personal care physician, who suggested that Don should choose an experienced audiologist or a hearing aid technician to provide hearing solutions.

Therefore, approaching North Houston Hearing Solutions was easy, as he knew they would solve his problems. Approaching a hearing healthcare clinic for the first time can be intimidating, but Don knew he was in the right place from the minute he stepped foot inside the clinic.

“I remember the staff being very friendly and cordial on my first visit. I was treated respectfully and professionally during my first visit with the audiologist.”

Since having his hearing aids fitted, it’s fair to say his life has changed in many ways. Now, according to Don, “Sounds are much clearer.”

Most of all, he was impressed that he can now “cut out” background noise and focus on the conversations that are important.

Don is eager to encourage others in his position to take the first step, adding, “I would tell them to make an appointment to discuss their concerns.

“North Houston Hearing Solutions has never tried to sell something I do not need and always had data to back up their recommendations.

“If you do not end up getting hearing aids, at least you will have a clear picture of your hearing capabilities and what your options are.”

Finally, let’s hear from MaryAnn who has a very relatable story:

Often asking others to speak up, MaryAnn found herself always putting the blame on others, unaware that her hearing loss was the cause of her problems.

As a school nurse, she would often think, “Why can’t these teenagers not speak up? Why are they mumbling all the time?”

One day, a student asked her, “Do you have something wrong with your hearing?” and from there, it all fell into place. From that moment of realization, she understood that it wasn’t everyone around her, but it was her ears that were the problem.

Her next thought was, “Where do I go from here?” as well as the cost of hearing aids and the options available.

To her surprise, she received a “thorough exam and then all the options and price ranges were explored and discussed.” North Houston Hearing Solutions made her “feel comfortable from the moment I walked through the door.

“Everyone was kind, spoke clearly, and I felt like I was with family.”

Since having her hearing aids fitted, MaryAnn feels like she is “part of life again.” She is active and “no longer shy away from situations where I would have difficulty interacting with others, like crowds, restaurants, gatherings, etc.”

Looking back, MaryAnn said “I did not realize how diminished my hearing had become until I was fitted with aids and could again hear all the important things around me I had been missing.”

She encourages others to “Make an appointment today” and rates her experience as a 10/10.

The truth is, from helping thousands of people to achieve better hearing, that there are very few people that regret the decision of seeking treatment. The common theme among them is that they wish they took action sooner.