Today, adult hearing loss is one of the most common age related conditions in the country if not the world.
When combined with vision loss, nearly all adults will find themselves suffering from one ailment or the other at some point.
The problem is that while wearing glasses is as common as wearing sneakers in a world where many people of all ages suffer from vision impairment, being seen with a visible hearing aid is still considered somewhat socially unacceptable.
Many people with vision impairment elect to wear contact lenses for personal or aesthetic reasons, and would like the option to keep their use of an auditory device a secret as well.
Today's technologies are making this more of a reality than ever, but there are factors that can make a difference.
To begin with, the degree of loss the person is suffering can make a difference in the possible sizes of auditory devices.
For example, a person with only mild to moderate hearing loss might be able to use an in-the-canal device or at least an in-the-ear device.
An in-the-canal device is nearly impossible to detect and can be accommodated to usage with mobile phones rated M3T3 or better, and other everyday electronics.
An in-the-ear device is slightly more visible, but can come in clear plastic or in nude tones to make it difficult to detect, especially when covered by the hair.
However, if the person is already suffering from severe hearing loss, a behind-the-ear device may be required to produce the necessary results and these are quite difficult to hide.
Even with a mix of flesh tone and clear plastic they are easily detectable from up close.
The next big giveaway that a person is wearing a hearing aid even if using one of the small in-the-ear or in-the-canal devices, is the constant process of changing between different functions.
Today's digital devices can come with a number of settings that make them more useful when changing between loud, busy environments, intimate conversations, telephone conversations, and various other situations.
Not all such devices are able to automatically switch between programs however.
Some need to be switched manually between programs to allow for ultimate usability.
On one hand the multiple settings make it easier to move through the day without missing anything that is said.
On the other hand, actually physically changing the settings can draw a great deal of attention.
Luckily, there are alternatives to manual settings, such as remote control over the hearing aids.
These controls can come in the form of a small device, or can be disguised as a keychain device or even a wristwatch, making it impossible to detect that you are actually changing settings on an auditory device.
In conclusion, it is important to know that keeping it a secret that you are wearing hearing aids should be more about your own personal comfort levels than worrying about what others think.
It has actually been shown in multiple studies that people generally perceive a person as older when he or she is constantly showing symptoms of auditory loss like asking others to 'turn up the volume' or 'repeat themselves,' than when he or she is wearing an auditory device.
That means that others will notice your newfound ability to hear before worrying about a bit of plastic in your ear!
When combined with vision loss, nearly all adults will find themselves suffering from one ailment or the other at some point.
The problem is that while wearing glasses is as common as wearing sneakers in a world where many people of all ages suffer from vision impairment, being seen with a visible hearing aid is still considered somewhat socially unacceptable.
Many people with vision impairment elect to wear contact lenses for personal or aesthetic reasons, and would like the option to keep their use of an auditory device a secret as well.
Today's technologies are making this more of a reality than ever, but there are factors that can make a difference.
To begin with, the degree of loss the person is suffering can make a difference in the possible sizes of auditory devices.
For example, a person with only mild to moderate hearing loss might be able to use an in-the-canal device or at least an in-the-ear device.
An in-the-canal device is nearly impossible to detect and can be accommodated to usage with mobile phones rated M3T3 or better, and other everyday electronics.
An in-the-ear device is slightly more visible, but can come in clear plastic or in nude tones to make it difficult to detect, especially when covered by the hair.
However, if the person is already suffering from severe hearing loss, a behind-the-ear device may be required to produce the necessary results and these are quite difficult to hide.
Even with a mix of flesh tone and clear plastic they are easily detectable from up close.
The next big giveaway that a person is wearing a hearing aid even if using one of the small in-the-ear or in-the-canal devices, is the constant process of changing between different functions.
Today's digital devices can come with a number of settings that make them more useful when changing between loud, busy environments, intimate conversations, telephone conversations, and various other situations.
Not all such devices are able to automatically switch between programs however.
Some need to be switched manually between programs to allow for ultimate usability.
On one hand the multiple settings make it easier to move through the day without missing anything that is said.
On the other hand, actually physically changing the settings can draw a great deal of attention.
Luckily, there are alternatives to manual settings, such as remote control over the hearing aids.
These controls can come in the form of a small device, or can be disguised as a keychain device or even a wristwatch, making it impossible to detect that you are actually changing settings on an auditory device.
In conclusion, it is important to know that keeping it a secret that you are wearing hearing aids should be more about your own personal comfort levels than worrying about what others think.
It has actually been shown in multiple studies that people generally perceive a person as older when he or she is constantly showing symptoms of auditory loss like asking others to 'turn up the volume' or 'repeat themselves,' than when he or she is wearing an auditory device.
That means that others will notice your newfound ability to hear before worrying about a bit of plastic in your ear!
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