Is hearing loss just an inevitable part of growing older? Can a simple sound amplifier take the place of hearing aids? Is there nothing I can do about that ringing in my ears? Common myths and misconceptions can sometimes get in the way of continuing the journey to better health. We’re busting a few myths with some helpful facts. Read on, and get empowered to improve your hearing today.

Myth:
Hearing impairment simply comes with aging.

Fact:
“Age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among adults aged 20 to 69,” according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, but did you know that some 2 to 3 of every 1,000 U.S. kids enter the world with a detectable impairment in one or both ears? Plus, noise-related hearing damage — a common, cumulative and preventable public-health problem — widely affects adults and youth.

Myth:
A personal sound amplification product, or PSAP, will take care of my hearing loss.

Fact:
Wearable electronic amplifiers, designed to hear environmental sounds for those who don’t have hearing loss, only make a sound louder and are neither FDA-regulated nor recommended to treat actual hearing loss. Misuse or overuse of PSAPs could even cause or aggravate hearing damage, so it’s best to let your hearing care professional evaluate your hearing and help you determine the best solution for your unique listening needs.

Myth:
That ringing in my ears is all in my head, and nothing can be done about it.

Fact:
If you perceive a ringing, buzzing, whistling, or humming in your ears that nobody else seems to hear, you may be among the nearly 50 million Americans with tinnitus, a condition that can be managed. It’s commonly linked to health issues such as hearing loss, and treatments such as behavioral therapies and devices that may include hearing aids can make a difference in handling the problem.

Myth:
Hearing loss is an isolated issue that doesn’t affect my overall health.

Fact:
On the contrary, hearing loss is a chronic public-health challenge that, if left untreated, can have far-reaching consequences for physical, mental, social and even financial wellness. For example, individuals with moderate hearing loss are three times as likely to develop dementia, and untreated hearing loss can reduce household earnings by as much as $30,000.