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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement
Hearing Loss
June 23, 2023
5 Min

Life With Hearing Aids

What changes to expect and how to prepare for life with hearing aids. Find out this and more in our insightful article about the effect hearing aids have on life.

Author:
Colton Jannusch
Life With Hearing Aids
Example h2
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For many with hearing loss, wearing hearing aids is a necessity to be able to communicate and access information around them. We acknowledge that wearing hearing aids is a major life adjustment. In this article, we will delve into the benefits of wearing them!

We are happy to share that there is increasing adoption of hearing aid devices and growing awareness regarding technologically advanced devices. Hearing aid companies are listening to those who live life with hearing aids. 

One reason for the surging demand of hearing aids in the past five years is due to the growing geriatric population. Hearing loss late in life is becoming an increasingly common experience for many. 

Effects Of Hearing Aids On Life

Hearing aids help the wearer avoid missing out on important moments in life. If he or she cannot hear what is being said, that person can’t be a part of the conversations. Feeling excluded from conversations and/or asking people to repeat themselves louder can be an extremely isolating part of the hearing loss experience. 

Hearing aids can help individuals actively participate in life, whether this is at school, at home, or at work. Individuals can maintain their independence in various aspects of daily life. 

Improved Communication and Social Interactions

Hearing aids amplify sounds and pick up on previously unheard sounds, making it easier for those living with hearing loss to communicate effectively with family, friends, and co-workers. Conversations become easier in both quiet environments and in noisy settings such as restaurants or social gatherings.

For those who experience hearing all sounds for the first time, they often find out that there may be “white noise”, such as hearing things running in the background or people around them talking. Normal hearing listeners can also hear these 'unwanted' sounds, but with time, our brains learn to tune them out. Over time we are able to tell the difference between what is important and what is not. This is true for hearing aid users as well.

Enhanced Quality of Life and Emotional Well-being

A young man with hearing aid.
A young man with hearing aid.

Hearing loss can be a jarring experience for some and significantly impact a person’s overall quality of life. However, wearing a hearing aid can help individuals reconnect with their surroundings. They can:

  • Hear the doorbell ring and greet at the door
  • Hear the phone ringing and answer important calls
  • Hear the kitchen oven timer ding when their delicious creations are ready
  • Hear their furred pets around the house

It can improve relationships because communication is easier, and reduce feelings of frustration and isolation. It restores confidence during social situations. This leads to improved well-being as life feels easier to navigate without missing on anything during interactions or feeling left out.

Hearing aids play a big role in developing or maintaining better awareness of environmental sounds, including alarms, sirens, and approaching vehicles. It gives wearers a sense of safety as they are able to respond appropriately before it is too late. 

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Navigating Social Situations and Stigma

For many users who live with hearing aids, often at first there is some trepidation because of the size or look of the hearing aids and how they will look with them on. They worry about what other people will think. They also worry about being pointed out for having hearing aids. Or as was in my case, being pointed out as deaf when I only wanted to feel normal and blend in with society from an early age.  

Typically what happens is that they are often surprised by how infrequently other people notice them- if at all. This is because of the innovations in hearing aid technology.

Innovations In Hearing Aid Technology

A hearing aid.
A hearing aid.

Hearing aid companies are improving patients' experiences with new features and technology. They now can choose from smart linked hearing aids, invisible hearing aids, and AI- and Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids that can be connected to Android or iOS. In August 2021, Phonak introduced the world's first waterproof rechargeable, Audéo Life hearing aid. Another company, Starkey, has released their all-new Genesis AI hearing aids that can be paired with their My Starkey app. With the app, the wearer can adjust hearing aid settings, stream calls, count steps, translate languages, and even find lost aids.

Aesthetically speaking, modern hearing aids are very sleek and discreet. Digitalization and miniaturization within the industry has allowed for hearing aids to hide discreetly behind the ear or in the ear and the settings exhaustible to accommodate all kinds of hearing levels and preferences. 

Wearing hearing aids comes with a stigma, therefore, young adults prefer canal devices over other devices for its ability to be hidden inside the ear. Another device growing in popularity, Behind-The-Ear (BTEs), don’t need device replacement as the child grows and are easy to handle and clean. 

Support and Resources for Individuals with Hearing Aids

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) has done a great job of compiling a FAQ list for those who are curious about hearing aids and want to learn more. Check it out!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a resources page that provides links to intervention and support services, government agencies, and professional associations. 

Conclusion

Hearing aids can enhance the overall hearing experience and quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. If you want to find out more about how hearing aids can help you live your best life, contact a local audiologist in your area!

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Colton Jannusch

A passionate and dedicated English teacher who creates an inclusive and engaging learning environment, inspiring students to develop their language skills and cultivate a lifelong love for literature.

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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

Life With Hearing Aids

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.