Almost everybody has been talking about hearing and hearing technology this year! Forbes, the New York Times, TechRadar, PSFK, and Inc. Magazine are just a few publications that have taken an interest in hearing loss and hearing aids. They’re reaching out to people with hearing loss and hearing aids and, in turn, providing greater awareness for (and better understanding of) the impact hearing loss and hearing aids can have. A recent example is this great piece by Prevention Magazine, where nine women share what it’s like to live with hearing loss.
Hearable technology also continues to take over the digital marketplace, and as it does, the perception of hearing aids is changing. And, our Halo 2 Made for iPhone hearing aids are leading the way! Mother Nature Network’s Lloyd Alter recently wrote about them in his article, “Newest hearables will change the way people think about hearing aids.” He wrote: “Right now, only a small fraction of the people who need hearing aids get them … people think they make them look old. But once people start realising that they do so much more than just help you hear, I suspect that stigma will disappear. People will think they look wired and connected … now, even when I'm alone in my home office and don’t need to wear them for hearing, I'm putting the Halo iQ on because they have become my default link to the audible internet. They're not a stigma to me; they're a super power.”
All this attention on new hearable technology and the impact hearing loss has on quality of life suggests that this is the “Year of the Ear.” To celebrate, we have six hearing health resolutions for you to keep in mind!
1. Make your hearing part of your annual healthcare routine. Hearing loss can sometimes be hard to identify. It can develop gradually overtime and your body may begin to cope and adjust. The best way to stay on top of changes with your hearing is to add an annual hearing test to your healthcare routine! Most hearing care clinics provide them free. To find a practice near you, click here. Don’t feel like leaving home? Take our free, online hearing test!
2. Educate yourself with comedy! Learning about hearing loss can be overwhelming, and we understand. That’s why we sometimes like to lighten this serious topic with cartoons to help make learning about hearing loss and hearing aids fun.
3. Protect your ears now to avoid hearing loss later. Noise-induced hearing loss is on the rise around the world, especially for those aged 12 to 35 who use personal listening devices. The World Health Organization surveyed individuals in this age range and found that 50 percent listened to the devices at unsafe levels.
4. Know your options for treating your hearing loss. Hearing aid technology has come a long way. Make sure you take the time to explore the new technologies before purchasing. You may be surprised at what you find, and ultimately, you’ll feel more confident in discussing your options with your hearing professional.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your hearing is unique, like a fingerprint. Don’t be afraid to ask us and your hearing professional questions about hearing loss, tinnitus, hearing technology products, etc. We are here to help you make the most informed decision possible. We even make it easy by having an email for you to send questions to: marketing@starkey.co.uk! And, we publish the most popular questions in our All Ears blog.
Your hearing health is an important part of your overall health and wellness. Make this the Year of the Ear and start your hearing health routine today!