Did you know that hearing actually takes place in your brain, not your ears? Because your brain is different from everyone else’s, you hear differently than anyone else. At Helton Hearing Care, our Doctors of Audiology understand how your ears and your brain work together as a system, with your brain doing the heavy lifting. When the sound signals from your ears are compromised, your brain has to work even harder to fill in the gaps. This extra effort can take its toll. In fact, studies have shown that, over time, hearing loss can lead to isolation and depression. That’s why it makes sense to take care of your hearing health the same way you care about the rest of your health.
Hearing devices with BrainHearing™ technology are the most innovative hearing solution on the market today. The devices are so advanced that they become part of you. And they just work anywhere, anytime. So you hear better with less effort. You can stay more active and involved with family, work, friends and the world around you. Over the long term, your hearing health is key to better emotional and mental health. Call us today at (406) 586-0914 to schedule your appointment. Listen up, boomers: Do you want to stay active? Vibrant? Socially engaged? Professionally successful? Most of us do. So maybe it’s time to do something about your hearing.
Chances are, if you’re like many baby boomers, you’ve rocked your way through your fair share of concerts, night clubs, and ear-blasting parties. And you’ve enjoyed years of other noisy recreational activities to boot. Simply: You’ve been enjoying life. You’ve spent decades doing it. And it’s been loud. So now, it’s not always so easy to hear the conversation around the table at the restaurant or dinner party – maybe not even in the conference room at work or on those teleconference calls. Face it. All that enthusiastic living has been hard on your ears. And now they’re screaming for your attention. You should give it to them. In fact, addressing hearing loss is one of the best things you can do to improve your quality of life and keep up a youthful pace. Fortunately, for most people with hearing loss, today’s state-of-the art hearing devices can help. In fact, eight out of 10 hearing instrument users say they’re satisfied with the changes that have occurred in their lives due to their hearing aids. Many boomers are surprised to learn that dramatic new technological advances have revolutionized hearing device in recent years. Many hearing aids are virtually invisible, sitting discreetly and comfortably inside the ear canal. And they adjust to all kinds of noise environments, picking up sound from all directions. Some are even waterproof. Perhaps best of all, seamless connectivity is now the norm. Today’s hearing instruments are wireless and stream sound from your smartphone, home entertainment system, and other electronics directly into your hearing aid(s) at volumes just right for you. Here’s what getting a hearing test and using professionally fitted hearing devices, recommended by an audiologist, may do for you: 1. Unlock your earning potential. Hearing your best at work helps you do your best. One study found that using hearing aids reduced the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss. And people with hearing loss who use hearing aids are more likely to be employed than their peers who don’t. 2. Open the door to greater intimacy. Don’t let those sweet nothings go unheard. Feeling emotionally close to your partner is one of the most satisfying aspects of any intimate relationship. But it rests on good communication. When hearing loss goes unaddressed, it can make even the most loving partner seem remote or unresponsive. Luckily, research shows that using hearing aids can help improve interpersonal relationships – including greater intimacy. 3. Pull the plug on stress and boost your mood. People with untreated hearing loss often feel angry, frustrated, anxious, isolated, and depressed. But research shows that when they use hearing aids, their mental health often rallies. Many regain emotional stability, become more socially engaged, feel a greater sense of safety and independence, and see a general improvement in their overall quality of life. 4. Bolster your self-confidence. An important perk of using hearing instruments can be enhanced emotional well-being. Research shows that when people with hearing loss use hearing aids, many feel more in control of their lives and less self-critical. One Better Hearing Institute (BHI) study found that the majority of people with mild and severe hearing loss felt better about themselves and life overall as a result of using hearing aids. 5. Improve cognitive functioning. Studies out of Johns Hopkins linked hearing loss with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults and found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time. BHI studies found that many people with hearing loss report improvements in their cognitive skills with the use of hearing aids. So go ahead. Revitalize your life. Do something about your hearing. It just may help you feel forever young. To get your hearing checked, please call us at (406) 586-0914 to schedule an appointment with our doctors of audiology. Q. Will hearing devices improve the quality of my life?
Dr. Helton: A large number of independent studies have shown that hearing devices significantly improve the quality of life for hearing impaired people. In addition to social isolation and the inability to follow conversations, hearing loss has been associated with fatigue, embarrassment, stress, anger and even depression. Because hearing devices vastly improve users' communication abilities, they are more likely to engage with families and friends and to perform better in the workplace. This has been shown to boost users' overall confidence and self-esteem and to foster improved psychological, social and emotional health. In fact, hearing instrument users actually enjoy better over-all physical/mental health than non-users with untreated hearing loss. Don't let hearing loss constrict your life. Get the help you have been missing. To schedule an appointment with our doctors of audiology, call us (406) 586-0914. Q: Why has my father become quiet? Mom suspects it's his hearing. Is there anything we can do? Dr. Helton: There sure is. Your dad is very fortunate to have people who love him enough to recognize that a problem exists. Recognition is the first step to treating hearing loss. The second is to get him tested by a doctor of audiology. That will determine the best course of action. The signs of hearing loss include emotional withdrawal, frustration, limitation of activities, reduced work productivity on the job or at home, and a general lack of interest and participation in everyday life. More importantly, if your dad needs amplification for his hearing difficulties, he will likely be pleasantly surprised by recent advancements in hearing technology.
Call us today at (406) 586-0914 to schedule an appointment with our doctors of audiology. |
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We were the first audiology practice in western MT, and have been providing exceptional, ethical and reliable hearing healthcare for over 40 years.
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