Wearing a hearing aid can keep you young and help you live a richer life and they shouldn’t be seen as a sign of old age or weakness. That’s the view of the clinical lead audiologist and director of South West Hearing Care, Simon Swindells.
He is encouraging local people to consider wearing hearing aids, regardless of age.
“It is estimated that there are approximately 6.7 million people in the UK who could benefit from wearing hearing aids, but only about two million people do,” he said.
“There are various reasons why this gap exists, including a stigma around hearing aids making you old or showing a weakness and a general lack of awareness about the amazing benefits and advancements in hearing technology.
“As an audiologist with many years helping people to improve their hearing, I firmly believe that wearing hearing aids is not a sign of old-age, weakness, or decline. In fact, wearing hearing aids keeps you young, keeps you involved, keeps you interested and interesting to others. They are a choice to have a richer life, empowering you to live life to the fullest.
“Hearing aids are a powerful tool that can help you to:
• Reconnect with the world: Untreated hearing loss can allow social isolation to creep in and a feeling of being disconnected from your surroundings. Hearing aids allow you to re-engage in conversations, participate in activities you enjoy, and rekindle connections with loved ones.
• Boost brainpower: Studies suggest a link between unaddressed hearing loss and cognitive decline. Hearing aids can help stimulate your brain by allowing you to clearly hear and process sound information. This can potentially improve memory, focus and overall cognitive function, contributing to a sharper and more engaged mind.
• Embrace an active lifestyle: Hearing clearly allows you to participate fully in activities you enjoy, whether it’s dancing to your favourite music, attending fitness classes, or exploring the outdoors. This physical and social engagement keeps you active, improves your mood and contributes to a sense of well-being.
• Have a positive outlook: Addressing your hearing needs can significantly improve your overall well-being. By regaining control over your ability to hear and engage with the world, you can cultivate a more positive outlook on life and feel empowered to live life to the fullest.
“If you’d like to speak myself or the team for further advice or to book a free hearing assessment, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”
South West Hearing Care can be found at 2 High Street, Westbury, tel. 01373 823076 or 7 The Bayliss Centre, High Street, Street, tel. 01458 555533. For more information visit www.swhearingcare.co.uk