Anatomy & Physiology

5 Good Reasons to Get a Hearing Test

In the United States, roughly 37.5 million adults have some amount of hearing loss. Yet according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), merely 20 percent of those who could reap the benefits of hearing aids actually use them. That means that millions of Americans who could improve their life with better hearing choose not to do so. And that’s not all. After being told that they need hearing aids, people wait an average of 5-7 years before even purchasing them—which is unfortunate, because for those that do decide to use hearing aids, the results are overwhelmingly favorable.

Why Hearing Aids Make You Happier Than Winning the Lottery

Presuming that you have hearing loss, what’s most likely to make you happy? A) Winning the lottery, or B) Purchasing a new pair of hearing aids It might appear obvious to you that the answer is A, but research on happiness conveys a quite different story. For starters, most people do tend to THINK that external scenarios are more likely to make them happy. They frequently cite things like more money, better jobs, a new car, or winning the lottery.

Become a Better Communicator Despite Hearing Loss

Communication is consistently reported as one of the most—if not the most—crucial factors to strengthening and preserving healthy relationships. According to the PBS program The Emotional Life: “How couples behave when solving problems together or arguing can predict the character and success of their relationship. A raised eyebrow, a hand on the arm, or a greeting all may seem like small things, but research shows that the quality of everyday interactions can make or break a relationship.” Likewise, communication skills are equally important at work: one 2014 survey of approximately 600 employers discovered that communication skills are the most in-demand set of skills among employers. In fact, of five leading skill sets employers consider most important when rendering a hiring decision, communications skills top the list. From preserving healthy relationships to getting hired to being promoted, communication impacts almost every aspect of our lives. Working to enhance our communication skills, then, is not a bad place to start if we desire to make some positive improvements.

Overcoming Hearing Loss – This Year’s Best Stories

During the course of the year, we’ve sought after and posted phenomenal stories about people conquering hearing loss to our Facebook page. These inspiring stories remind us of what human determination and persistence can achieve—even in the face of overpowering challenges and barriers. Of the numerous stories we’ve encountered, here are our top picks for the year.

Give the Gift of Hearing This Holiday Season

With one out of every five people in the US afflicted with some degree of hearing loss, there’s a good chance you know at the least one individual who has some difficulty hearing. And considering the strong connections amongst healthy hearing and physical, psychological, and social health, the holiday season is the optimal opportunity to give an extremely meaningful gift. If you do know someone with hearing loss, here are a couple of great gift ideas:

The Link Between Hearing Loss and Changes in Personality

The effects of hearing loss appear obvious, such as the frustration of the continuous battle to hear and the impact this can have on relationships. But what if the consequences went deeper, and could actually influence your personality? Research from the University of Gothenburg shows that this might be the case. The researchers examined 400 individuals aged 80-98 over a six-year time frame. The researchers measured several physical, mental, social, and personality measures throughout the study, including extroversion, or the inclination to be outgoing.
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