This past week there has been a lot of media surrounding the use of hearing devices and what it means, as a deaf person, to wear them. Perhaps unsurprisingly, since we have just had Deaf Awareness Week in the UK.

As a wearer myself for over 40 years, I can confirm that hearing aids do not cure deafness. They far from fix hearing loss. Even knowing this, on various occasions they have turned out to be a disappointment. However I couldn’t be without them, since my journey through life has been predominately in the hearing world. This was never a choice – more nurture than nature.

However, every day there are challenges. Some challenges that even myself, because I’ve never known different, take for granted sometimes – I just manage the best that I can. It can be exhausting. It’s nearly always tiring. Which makes me a very heavy sleeper! I am severe to profoundly deaf. On the cusp of cochlear implants and also close to the limits of what my hearing aids can do for me – a strange middle ground. Neither option perfect at this stage.

So to suggest that my hearing aids have ‘fixed’ or ‘cured’ my hearing is laughable. I’m also well aware from friends in my Deaf circle that cochlear implants are not a fix or a cure either. I have both deaf oral non-signers, as well as deaf sign-only friends who will explicitly state that whilst the cochlear implants give them some additional sense of the world around them, they are still a world away from ‘hearing’. I’d also like to de-bunk the theory that deafness is curable by natural ‘remedies’ or supplements. You cannot regain hearing loss this way – if your hearing is damaged, either conductive or sensorineural (bone or nerve), it cannot be fixed by a supplement.

Hearing Aids are not a Cure for Hearing Loss or Fix Deafness

Hearing loss affects millions of people worldwide and for many, hearing aids have become an essential tool in their journey toward improved communication and quality of life. While they offer significant benefits and can be life-changing, it’s important to understand that hearing aids are not a complete fix for hearing loss nor make deafness curable.

Understanding Hearing Loss and Deafness

Hearing loss is a complex and diverse condition that can vary in degree and type. It can be caused by numerous factors, including age, noise exposure, genetics, or underlying health conditions. Depending on the nature and severity of hearing loss, hearing aids can provide amplification, but they cannot fully provide hearing. Additionally, other deaf related health conditions exist which also cannot be cured; such as tinnitus and APD (Auditory Processing Disorder) among many others. Deafness and hearing loss is complex.

What do Hearing Aids Do?

Hearing aids are sophisticated devices designed to amplify sounds and enhance the wearer’s ability to hear and understand speech. Hearing aid amplification works by collecting sounds through a microphone, processing the signals, and delivering them through a speaker into the wearer’s ear. Hearing aids address specific hearing difficulties and aim to improve communication, but they cannot completely replicate natural hearing. There are also other aids such as cochlear implants which are electronic devices designed to provide a sense of sound to individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. Unlike hearing aids which amplify sounds, cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, enabling the perception of sound. However, this requires a healthy auditory nerve. The brain also requires an extensive amount of re-training to perceive the new signals the brain receives as recognisable sounds.

Why are Hearing Aids not a Cure for Hearing Loss?

1. Amplification Challenges: While hearing aids amplify sounds, they may struggle to distinguish between speech and background noise in certain situations. Noisy environments can still pose challenges, and individuals may require additional deaf communication strategies or assistive devices to supplement their hearing aids. Busy restaurants, crowded bars and background music are all examples of difficult situations.
   
   
2. Complex Sound Perception: Hearing aids cannot fully restore the intricate details of sound perception, such as differentiating pitch, localisation, or the ability to hear certain frequencies. The brain’s processing capabilities also play a vital role in how well an individual comprehends sounds, and hearing aids alone cannot address all aspects of auditory perception.
   
   
3. Non-hearing related impact: Deafness can have a profound impact on an individual’s emotional well-being, mental health, and social interactions. While hearing aids can enhance communication, they may not alleviate all the emotional or psychological challenges associated with hearing loss. Additional support, such as meeting and connecting with other deaf people and/or counselling can be hugely beneficial.
   
   
4. Hearing devices can be very expensive! Not only for the initial outlay of equipment, but for the upkeep and appointments – visiting hospitals or travelling to find a deaf centre nearby. Ensuring routine tests / calibrations are carried out for the level of hearing loss, lots of trial and error, plus maintenance and fixing. For these reasons, many people give up on using them.
   
   

Other Approaches to Hearing Loss

There are other very important approaches to hearing loss and deafness:

1. Communication Strategies: Most important, regardless if an individual wears hearing devices or not, is to work out what communication strategies will work for them. Deaf language deprivation should be avoided. Some deaf people are oral and others are not. Strategies can include anything from lip-reading, sign language, using visual cues, to educating others about hearing loss and deafness and letting them know what techniques or additional accommodations are required so that deaf people can communicate effectively and equally.
   
   
2.  Assistive Listening Devices: Hearing aids can be complemented by assistive listening devices such as FM systems, captioning services, or telephone amplifiers, which can further enhance communication in specific situations or environments. Additionally there are devices which can be purchased to assist in situations where hearing aids cannot be worn, such as sleeping. However these can be very costly and not always effective.
   
   
3. Regular Hearing Assessments: It is crucial to have regular hearing assessments to monitor any changes in hearing levels. Adjustments to hearing aids or exploring alternative solutions may be necessary as an individuals hearing needs often evolve over time. Occasionally sudden hearing loss or a change in levels can signify other health conditions.
   
   
4. Lifestyle and Self-Care: Adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and practicing self-care can positively impact overall well-being, including mental health, which can be affected by hearing loss. We are all humans who have naturally evolved to be a social species and we need interaction for our mental wellbeing. People who are deaf are far more likely to experience mental-health issues due to loneliness, frustration and social isolation.
   
   

Managing Expectations of Hearing Aids

Hearing aids undoubtedly play a significant role in enhancing the lives of individuals with hearing loss, improving oral / auditory communication and fostering connections. However, it’s essential to approach them with realistic expectations. Hearing aids are not a cure for hearing loss nor fix deafness, but rather they are a tool to manage and mitigate some of its effects. Hearing aids require routine professional input – calibrating, fixing, updates etc. By understanding the limitations of hearing aids and embracing more of the holistic approaches to hearing loss management, deaf people can optimise their overall well-being and enjoy the benefits that technology provides them, while seeking support from the broader deaf and hearing loss community.

Every deaf person has their own journey, medical background, coping strategies and their own experiences. We are diverse, and yet as a group of people who overcome daily obstacles in accessibility and equity, we are cohesive. Stronger together. Being part of a deaf community is one of the most effective strategies there is; to just be yourself, for support, resources, communicating your preferred way, friendship, growth and well-being. Tolerance, understanding and celebrating our differences are key. We don’t need to be ‘cured’ – when we are empowered together, we can achieve anything we want!