Losing my hearing in my 30s: sometimes your body doesn't function how you expect

Contrary to popular belief, losing your hearing is actually very loud. At times you may hear the roar of ocean sounds, a high-pitched ringing, or a cacophony of indeterminable sound. The noises are distracting from everyday conversation, and the sound from the TV seems to be forever on the mute button. The noise drowns out your co-workers sitting around the conference table, and when you are about to go to sleep the high-pitched ringing starts back up once again. 

I know, because I have been experiencing hearing loss for about 12 years. I am 34 years old.

But I’m not alone. Roughly 50 million Americans experience hearing loss at some point throughout their lives, and about 460 million worldwide. Some people are born deaf, while others may lose their hearing due to infection, result of an accident, or for age-related reasons. My hearing loss is genetic; my mom began to lose her hearing at about the same age, and we both noticed a dramatic decline after we gave birth. 

Evidently, there is a particular type of hearing loss that is associated with pregnancy. Essentially, the bones in our ears become arthritic and over time can’t vibrate as well. And that’s about all we know. Considering the millions of women impacted by this type of hearing impairment, it’s surprising that we still don’t know a lot about how to help.

Some figures indicate that only one in five people use assistive devices because there are so many barriers to consumers. Hearing aids have acquired a bad reputation of being costly, ineffective, and bulky.  I’m here to tell you, some of that is very valid.

“Evidently, there is a particular type of hearing loss that is associated with pregnancy. Essentially, the bones in our ears become arthritic and over time can’t vibrate as well. And that’s about all we know. ”

Are hearing aids expensive?

The price of one hearing aid averages $1,000.00-4,000.00. And, more often than not, people need to purchase a pair, even if the loss is only in one ear. Since this is a medical device, insurance covers it, right? Nope. Most insurance plans have some benefits for children or, if you qualify, a Medicare Advantage plan helps to defer some of the cost. But for those of us in-betweeners, a hearing aid is an out-of-pocket expense. My two cost just under $5,000 (plus the cost of batteries).

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology recognized this issue and has called for changes to promote innovation. In 2018, Congress outlined requirements for over-the-counter hearing aids — the idea being that they would be similar in concept to readers you can buy at the drug store.

Private companies are taking a deeper look into the technology and trying to figure out how they can contribute to the growing market. The Hearing Review noted that hearing aid sales are up in spite of the costs — and although the cost is prohibitive for many, it’s encouraging to see innovative technologies work to drive the price down. As a life-long hearing aid wearer, I hope to see positive changes made to the market. 

Are hearing aids effective?

As they are, hearing aids are tricky because the technology varies significantly with the price tag (the more you spend, the better quality). I can say from experience wearing a hearing aid that is not customized for your ear and for your type of hearing loss is even more cumbersome than the hearing loss itself. However, hearing loss is known to negatively impact communication, relationships, school or work performance, and emotional well-being.

As my hearing became more of an issue in my life, I felt increasingly out of touch. Group discussion was not enjoyable and asking people to repeat themselves became an inconvenience more than an assistance. I also missed the sound of simple things like birds chirping and thunder rolling in before the rain. There were times I felt alone in a room filled with people, and at work I felt incompetent. I realize these were my perceptions, and likely no one else picked up on my isolation. But the feelings were real to me, and I can imagine they are very real for others as well. 

The good(ish) news is that current research is also noting the negative effects of hearing loss on our cognitive ability. NPR recently reported on the growing body of research that is working to understand the link between hearing loss and cognitive and mental health decline. The more we can understand about how hearing loss impacts loneliness and isolation, the better we can address problem and create better outcomes. 

Let’s get personal about this choice

While I am on the topic of social barriers. I want to be sure to note that seeking assistance for hearing loss is a personal decision that should remain with the person experiencing deafness. There are millions of people who are deaf and choose to use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. Taking away the choice to communicate using sign language would be detrimental. Although I focus on the use of hearing aids, there is a considerable proportion of the population who find independence and satisfaction in using ASL to communicate. And, they should be supported in ways only they can dictate. 

Are hearing aids bulky? 

Hearing aids are not the bulky flesh-toned, over-the-ear monstrosity you may be thinking of. Mine are smaller than a penny and hide in my ear canal. I honestly forget that I am wearing them sometimes. In fact, tearing aids come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors.

They have Bluetooth technology and can be adjusted using an app on your phone. But, this got me thinking, does everyone want this level of functionality? While technology is cool, it’s not always necessary.

An occupational hazard of being a gerontologist is thinking as if I’m 80-year-old Kyle.

Right now, I have the dexterity to change a battery that’s smaller than a pea. I have the eyesight to clean and maintain the aids to prevent damage from wax buildup. But, will I like this when I’m 80, or will I opt for something larger — and perhaps more noticeable? How will I feel about that in the future? These are decisions older adults are making when they seek to purchase a hearing aid for the first time. 

I hope that everyone will continue to work to remove the stigma of wearing hearing aids or using other kinds of medical aids to have a better life, rather than focusing on ways to hide the need for assistance. We’re all going to probably need something eventually, right? I think artist Elana Langer may be onto something with her bedazzled aids and walkers… after all, life imitates art, right?