Between the brass band on Frenchman Street and the steamboat calliope echoing off the Mississippi, New Orleans can be really tough on a person’s ears. And while hearing aids can make a monumental difference in a person’s quality of life, here’s something folks don’t necessarily understand: they aren’t for every type of hearing loss.
Even under the best circumstances, navigating hearing loss can be about as easy and straightforward to navigate as Mardi Gras traffic. Every case is different, and what helps one person through the world might just drive another person up the wall.
Severe Hearing Loss: When More Volume Isn’t the Answer
If you’re someone who suffers from severe or profound hearing loss, then you may already know that regular hearing aids just might not cut it. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), many forms of deafness occurs when the tiny cells in your inner ear are too damaged to function properly, meaning that simply making sounds louder won’t help a person understand what is being said to them any clearer.
If you’re enjoying yourself at Preservation Hall and the sound system blows out, turning up the volume isn’t going to make the music sound better, it will just make the distortion worse. It’s very similar to what happens when treating severe hearing loss. If you find that cranking the volume on your hearing aids doesn’t make speech clearer, background noises make conversations difficult to participate in, or you notice that sounds generally sound more garbled than quiet, you may be experiencing a form of severe hearing loss.
When Your Ears and Brain Aren’t On Speaking Terms
Hearing loss can be a complex malady that can have equally complex causes. While physical causes account for many cases, auditory neuropathy can also cause severe hearing loss. The America Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) explains it like this: those with auditory neuropathy will find that their ears pick up sounds perfectly fine, but somewhere on the way to your brain, that signal gets mixed up and rerouted, ultimately resulting in a loss of hearing for the individual.
When a person experiences auditory neuropathy:
- Hearing aids often make things worse, not better
- Sound fades in and out unpredictably
- Speech seems jumbled, even in quiet places
Many of those with this condition could describe it like picking up two radio stations at the same time; turning it up doesn’t make the experience any more enjoyable. It can be exhausting for your brain to be doing so much extra work discerning signals.
Common Comfort and Fit Challenges
One huge factor for whether or not hearing aids will be a good fit for someone is their comfort. While great leaps have been made in terms of longevity and ergonomics, there really is no getting around the simple fact that you have something in your ear.
Another huge obstacle is simply in their misuse. The World Health Organization reports that improper fitting and setup can lead to negative experiences and feelings for about 40% of those that use them. A bad fit, annoying feedback or even the discomfort that comes with using hearing aids in the humid Louisiana heat can all contribute to hearing aids being incompatible to a person’s lifestyle.
Taking Action With Real Options
While hearing aids may not be the perfect solution for everyone, there are many paths forward for better hearing health. At Associated Hearing, we understand that each person’s hearing journey is as unique as the city we call home. Our experienced team specializes in comprehensive hearing evaluations that look at the full picture – not just the volume of sound you’re missing, but how your brain processes what you hear.
For many people, properly fitted and professionally programmed hearing aids can open up a world of sound. For those with severe hearing loss or auditory neuropathy, we offer specialized solutions beyond traditional hearing aids, including advanced hearing technologies and counseling for cochlear implants.
Remember, New Orleans is a city where sound isn’t just noise – it’s culture. From second lines to jazz funerals, from our rich history of street performers to our city’s festival stages, every sound tells a story. Experiencing that in all its richness is worth the effort.
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Don’t let uncertainty about hearing aids keep you from getting help. Our experienced team will help you understand your options and find the best path forward for your specific situation.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to book your appointment. Get the professional guidance you need to make informed decisions about your hearing health.