Meet Lyn: “Forget the hearing aids – the real shock was realising I’m actually ageing. Apparently, I’ve crossed the line from ‘youthful and fabulous’ to ‘officially vintage’. Do I get a certificate… or just discounts and wrinkles, and of course hearing aids!?” 😊
Coming to Terms with Ageing and Hearing Loss
I’m 72 years old. I don’t feel it in my head. I may feel it a little, sometimes a lot in my body, but everything still works, pretty much. They say wisdom comes with age – apparently, so do hearing aids! I wasn’t shocked by the diagnosis. I kind of knew it was coming. What startled me was the quiet whisper of reality – gosh, I really am ageing. Not suddenly, not dramatically, and undeniably. There’s something quietly jarring about facing the physical signs of age. But there’s also something powerful in choosing to stay connected, present, and fully tuned in. Because if I’m going to get older, I’m doing it with both ears open – and maybe even with the volume turned up!
The Quiet Creep of Hearing Loss: My Wake-Up Call
Thinking back, I probably have been asking people to repeat themselves several times in a conversation. It’s not really conducive to good conversation. I have probably nodded and said “yes” on many occasions, when I shouldn’t. Luckily, I haven’t lost friends along the way in this lead up to the stark realization that I do need help with my hearing.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore the Signs of Hearing Loss
Here’s the kicker: hearing loss creeps in slowly. I think I knew, but made a decision to ignore it. I have probably blamed others for “mumbling” and blamed the acoustics in restaurants, or the TV for not having “clear dialogue.” But then someone close to you says something like, “You really can’t hear me, can you?” and suddenly you’re googling audiologists at 2am in the middle of the night.
So here are the realities and the stats as to why I am going to have to tune in – literally to age-related hearing loss.
You’re not alone
Over 1.5 billion people worldwide live with some degree of hearing loss. That’s around 1 in 5 of us – not just me and you – it’s not a niche club. About 20% of South Africa’s population have some hearing loss.
It’s not just about age
While age is definitely a big factor, exposure to loud music, concerts, power tools, and even bad earbuds can speed things up. Maybe we should just blame the 60s and 70s parties and dance floors! Genetics, certain underlying health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and even some medications can also play a role.
Most people wait too long
The average person waits 7 to 10 years before getting hearing aids after noticing hearing loss. That’s a lot of “pardon?”, “what?” and “say that again?”
The Unexpected Benefits of Modern Hearing Aids
Today’s modern hearing aid is pretty cool (really!)
Today’s hearing aids are sleek, smart, discreet, and Bluetooth-enabled. They connect to your phone, stream music, and take calls. They say you don’t look old – you look tech-savvy. They even use Artificial Intelligence to automatically adapt to your surroundings. And while all the clever tech is impressive, their main purpose remains the same: to deliver clear speech and better understanding in noise – the one environment we all struggle in. After all, hearing well will always be more attractive than trying to (obviously) lip-read!
Hearing loss affects the brain
Untreated hearing loss can contribute to cognitive decline and even increase your risk of dementia. It can lead to social withdrawal and strain the relationships that matter most. It’s not “just a small thing” – it’s about protecting your mind, your memories, and your meaningful connections.
Do you suffer from tinnitus?
That persistent ringing can drive anyone crazy. Most of the time, it’s your brain’s reaction to hearing loss — when sound fades, your brain fills the silence with noise. While there can be other culprits like stress or medication, hearing loss is usually the main trigger. By restoring what you’re meant to hear, hearing aids give your brain less reason to create what it shouldn’t — helping the ringing quiet down and life sound clearer again.
Can Hearing Aids Slow Down Hearing Loss?
Hearing aids don’t exactly stop hearing loss in its tracks, but they can help keep things from getting worse. By keeping your ears and brain actively engaged with sound, they prevent the auditory system from going “out of practice.” So while they won’t reverse damage, they can help you make the most of the hearing you still have – and possibly slow down further decline.
Hearing Loss Isn’t Just About Hearing – It’s About Connection
Relationships matter
Hearing well means fewer arguments over misheard conversations, fewer “what did you say?” at the dinner table, and more connection with people you care about.
Dispelling the Myths Around Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
Many people still believe that hearing loss is a minor inconvenience that can wait to be addressed. These misconceptions can have serious consequences. The truth is that hearing loss often develops gradually, and delaying intervention can lead to what audiologists call a “use it or lose it” effect – when the brain’s ability to process sound weakens due to lack of stimulation. The longer the auditory system is deprived of sound, the harder it becomes to adapt successfully once amplification is introduced. Early fitting of hearing aids helps maintain the brain’s ability to recognise and interpret sound, preserves speech understanding, and prevents unnecessary cognitive strain. Timely intervention supports not only communication, but also cognitive vitality, emotional health, and social engagement — reinforcing the principle that well-hearing is well-being. Don’t delay — book your professional hearing test today!
Final Thoughts: Choosing Connection Over Denial
Needing hearing aids definitely wasn’t the blow. Realising I’m ageing – that was a jolt to the system. Now I’m getting used to the idea, and finding out there are several friends out there who have discreetly moved into the hearing aid arena. There is also something a titch humbling about admitting your body doesn’t work quite like it used to. I think there is also something empowering about doing something about it. Hearing aids aren’t a defeat; they’re an upgrade. Not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom. And if I’m going to age, I might as well do it in full surround sound.
Signing off for now — it’s time to book that full hearing test with the audiologist and take the next step toward rediscovering the gift of hearing.
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A YEI article
Sources:
This article includes professional advice from Anneke van Wyk, Group Audiology Coach, Ear Institute
Hearing loss and the risk of dementia | Alzheimer’s Society
From Bruce Gardner:
Your hearing aid comments all good. Sadly very few medical aids cover the very high cost. It also needs to be said that hearing aids do not give you back normal hearing. All they do is amplify the sounds around you. With normal hearing your brain shuts out superfluous sounds so that one can hear a person talking to you. Hearing aids can’t do that. They do have programs which reduce certain sounds like car and road noises and wind noise but like in a restaurant the back ground music gets amplified and blocks the voices of people around you who you are trying to hear!,