Talking Hearing Loss

Did you ever watch Mythbusters with Adam and Jamie? Man, that show was like science class on steroids—only with more explosions and fewer homework assignments. My kids used to call it “The Dad Facts Show.”

You know what a Dad Fact is, right? It’s that little nugget of random trivia you drop into a conversation to look like you’re the reigning champion of obscure knowledge. For example: “Did you know… the echo of a duck’s quack sounds exactly like the quack itself? That’s why some people think a duck’s quack doesn’t echo at all.”

It’s the kind of fact that’ll make your kids blink at you like, “Okay, thanks, Captain Useless Knowledge!” But hey, we dads have a reputation to uphold.

MythBusters was an Australian^[1]-American science entertainment television program created by Peter Rees and produced by Australia’s Beyond Television Productions.^[1] The series premiered on the Discovery Channel on January 23, 2003. The series was transmitted by numerous international broadcasters, including SBS Australia (first-run episodes, with repeat episodes shown on 7mate Australia), and other Discovery channels worldwide. The show’s hosts, special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, used elements of the scientific method to test the validity of rumors, myths, movie scenes, adages, Internet videos, and news stories. The show was one of the most popular on Discovery Channel, being preceded only by How It’s Made and Daily Planet, both in Canada. From 2006 to 2016, the show was overseen by British show-runner Dan Tapster, based in Sydney, San Francisco and Manchester.

Wikipedia

In true Mythbuster style, let’s dive into the wonderful world of hearing loss myths! If you’re thinking, “Wait, hearing loss? Isn’t that just something for old folks?”—oh boy, do I have news for you. Hearing loss doesn’t care about your age, your impeccable taste in music, or how loud your coworkers like to talk during meetings. It’s an equal opportunity condition. So let’s bust some myths and (gently) crank up the volume on the conversation. It’s time to debunk some of these bad boys, one by one.

Myth #1: Only the Elderly Need Hearing Aids

Sure, hearing aids might have been the stereotypical accessory of choice for grandpa, but here’s a reality check: one in six Australians are affected by hearing loss, and that number is expected to rise to one in four by 2050. Think only retirees are in this group? Think again—nearly half of those affected are working age! That’s right, we’re talking about your colleagues, the guy at the gym, or even you jamming out to tunes on max volume (more on that in a sec).

And it’s not just adults—around 12,000 children in Australia live with hearing loss. Every day, on average, one in 1000 babies is diagnosed with it, according to the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. So, this myth? It’s hanging on by a thread.

My own hearing loss journey started when I was an early teen, and by the time I was an adult, I’d lost all hearing in one ear. Take that, age stereotypes.

Myth #2: Hearing Aids are for the Uncool

The second biggest myth? Hearing aids are big, clunky, and about as stylish as your grandma’s rotary phone. (Remember those?) But just like fashion, hearing aids have evolved. We’re talking sleek, high-tech gadgets that could probably double as a Bluetooth speaker and make your coffee. Well, not quite. But loads of them do stream music, so that’s something, right?

Gone are the days when hearing aids made you look like you were carrying a tiny satellite dish behind your ear. Today, they’re practically invisible, and some are so discreet that you might forget you’re wearing them… until you suddenly hear your significant other munching on potato chips way too clearly while you’re binge watching episodes of Mythbusters.

Myth #3: My Doctor Will Tell Me if My Hearing is Failing

Sure, your doctor can do a basic check and maybe even say, “Hmm, you should get that looked at.” But they don’t have superhuman hearing powers (sorry, Dr. House). Your GP can’t fully gauge the degree of hearing loss with just their stethoscope and doctor-y intuition. That’s why they send you to the real experts—hearing care professionals.

Think of it like this: you wouldn’t expect your GP to spot a tooth cavity during a physical, right? So don’t expect them to catch your hearing issues unless they’re glaringly obvious. Hearing care professionals, on the other hand, are equipped with all the fancy tools to figure out exactly what’s going on in those ears of yours.

Notice your hearing’s a bit off? Get yourself to a hearing pro. They’ll keep tabs on your hearing year after year. It’s like going to the dentist, but without the flossing guilt.

Myth #4: I’m Fine, I Only Have Hearing Loss in One Ear

Oh, really? Your brain, that wonderful marvel, relies on input from both ears to figure out where sounds are coming from. Hearing loss in one ear might not seem like a big deal, but it messes with your sound localization (aka, figuring out where that “thud” came from) and makes it harder to hear speech when there’s background noise.

Plus, with just one ear doing all the work, your brain has to work extra hard, increasing your overall cognitive load. So if you think, “Eh, it’s just one ear—I can manage,” you might be making your life harder than it needs to be. Your ears were designed to be a team, and unilateral hearing loss is not something to ignore. Time to chat with a hearing pro.

Myth #5: Hearing Aids Will Restore My Hearing to Normal

If only. Modern hearing aids are like tiny tech superheroes, with microphones that focus on speech, tune out the noise you don’t need, and even sync up with your smartphone. Some of them can even stream music, and honestly, they’re cooler than my phone on most days.

But here’s the kicker: they can’t restore your hearing to perfect normal. No gadget can completely replicate the natural process of hearing. What they can do is dramatically improve your ability to communicate, make dinner conversations way less awkward, and help you enjoy life without constantly asking, “Huh?”

Work closely with your hearing care professional to make sure your hearing aids are working optimally in all your favorite settings. Normal hearing? No. Better life? Absolutely.

Myth #6: My Hearing Loss Can’t Be Helped

I get it—hearing loss can feel overwhelming, and maybe you think nothing can be done. But have you actually talked to a hearing care professional about your specific situation? Here’s a fun fact: many types of hearing loss can be improved, whether through hearing aids, cochlear implants, surgery, medication, or—get this—sometimes all you need is a good ol’ earwax removal.

Even if your last visit to a hearing care professional was eons ago, advancements in the field are happening faster than you can say “What did you say?” Don’t assume you’re stuck with it. Ask the experts.

Myth #7: My Hearing Loss is Only My Problem

Okay, this one might ruffle some feathers, but hear me out. Untreated hearing loss isn’t just about you—it affects your family, friends, coworkers, and anyone else trying to communicate with you. Imagine how frustrating it is for someone to keep repeating themselves because you didn’t hear them the first (or second… or third… or forth) time. Over time, untreated hearing loss can strain relationships. It’s exhausting for everyone involved.

If you don’t want to seek help for yourself, consider doing it for the people who care about you. After all, communication is the cornerstone of relationships. Don’t let hearing loss be the wedge that drives you apart from the ones you love.

Myth #8: Hearing Loss Isn’t That Big of a Deal

Oh, it’s just hearing, right? Wrong. If you think hearing loss is like living in a muffled bubble where the worst consequence is misunderstanding your barista’s order, think again. Untreated hearing loss can mess with your brain. It leads to social isolation, struggles with communication (cue the “Sorry, what?” 14 times at dinner), and can even contribute to cognitive decline. That’s right—your ears are tight with your brain. Ignore them at your peril.

Also, hearing loss has been linked to falls—yes, literal falling down! So, if you thought tripping over nothing was just clumsiness, maybe your ears have been sending you a message.

Job performance can tank too, especially when meetings sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher going “Wah wah wah.” Don’t let hearing loss hijack your life. Treating it is like upgrading your phone’s OS—everything just runs smoother.

Myth #9: Hearing Aids Are Only for People Who Can’t Hear at All

Some people think hearing aids are for when you’re completely out of the hearing game, but nope. You don’t need to be at “I can’t hear anything” to benefit from hearing aids. In fact, modern hearing aids are like tiny computers that can enhance your hearing in all sorts of cool ways, even if your hearing loss is mild.

And don’t worry about looking like you’ve got a Walkman stuck to your ear (millennials, ask your parents). These things are sleek. Some are practically invisible. They might even be cooler than your AirPods, but I won’t go there.

Myth #10: Hearing Loss Is Totally Unavoidable

Now, we can’t stop you from getting older—science hasn’t cracked that one yet. But when it comes to preventing hearing loss, there’s a lot you can do. Loud environments? Protect your ears. (And yes, that means earplugs at concerts—sorry, not sorry.) Avoiding ototoxic substances? Yep, that’s a thing. Even staying on top of ear hygiene (you know, cleaning those things) helps. So while you might not be able to dodge the genetic lottery, protecting your ears is 100% within your control.

Cue the end credits

And there you have it—ten myths about hearing loss, busted wide open. Whether you’re 16 or 60, don’t brush off hearing loss as someone else’s problem. It’s real, it’s common, and most importantly, in most cases it’s treatable. So let’s toss these myths in the trash where they belong and start giving our ears the attention they deserve.

Now, excuse me while I schedule my annual hearing check-up. Mythbusting is loud work!