If you have been putting off getting a hearing test, or you are considering hearing aids for the first time, you are probably not short of opinions from the people around you. The trouble is, most of what people think they know about hearing aids is based on devices that are decades out of date. Modern hearing aids are a world apart from what many people imagine, and we hear the same myths come up time and again at the clinic. So let us set the record straight.
Myth 1: Hearing Aids Just Make Everything Louder
This is perhaps the most common misconception we come across. Many people, particularly those who have experience with older NHS hearing aids, assume that wearing a hearing aid simply turns up the volume on the world around them. In reality, modern hearing aids are sophisticated devices that do far more than amplify sound.
Today’s hearing aids are designed to amplify the specific areas of hearing that need support, rather than simply turning up the volume on everything. For many people, that means boosting the high frequencies where consonant sounds live and speech gets its clarity. Some models also include speech enhancers to help with softer voices. Most clients are genuinely pleasantly surprised at just how natural and clear modern hearing aids sound. They were expecting something artificial and mechanical, and instead they get something that feels completely natural.
Myth 2: Hearing Aids Will Whistle and Cause Feedback
Many people associate hearing aids with that uncomfortable high-pitched whistling sound, because they have heard it from an older relative or experienced it with a basic model. It is an understandable concern, but an outdated one.
Whistling and feedback are almost always the result of hearing aids that are poorly fitted or poorly programmed. When your hearing aids are properly fitted by a qualified audiologist and correctly set for your individual hearing profile, feedback is not something you should experience in day-to-day life. Modern hearing aids also include advanced feedback cancellation technology as standard, giving you another layer of protection.
Myth 3: Hearing Aids Are Big and Bulky
The image many people have of a hearing aid is a large beige device sitting awkwardly over the ear. The reality in 2024 is very different. Modern hearing aids are discreet, stylish and available in a range of styles and colours to suit different types and degrees of hearing loss.
Many of the most popular styles feature a thin, almost invisible wire that sits in the ear, rather than a chunky tube. Clients are regularly surprised by how small and lightweight today’s devices are, and by how quickly they stop noticing they are wearing them at all.
Myth 4: Rechargeable Hearing Aids Can Be Overcharged
A question we hear regularly is whether you can damage your hearing aids by leaving them on charge overnight or keeping the charger plugged in. This concern likely comes from the old-fashioned idea that leaving electrical items switched on could cause them to overheat.
With modern rechargeable hearing aids, you simply cannot overcharge them. The battery technology used today means the only thing that will naturally reduce battery capacity over time is, well, time. Leaving your charger plugged in and switched on is perfectly fine, and in fact leaving your aids to charge overnight is all they need to last a full day. Clients are always relieved to hear this.
Myth 5: You Will Have Expensive Battery Bills
For those who are not choosing rechargeable models, a common worry is the ongoing cost of replacing batteries. People are often surprised to learn that battery replacements are typically covered under warranty, meaning there are no unexpected costs to worry about. It is one of those pleasant surprises that comes up regularly in clinic conversations.
Myth 6: You Must Use a Smartphone App for Hearing Aids to Work Properly
Modern hearing aids can connect to smartphones via Bluetooth, and the companion apps available offer a brilliant range of customisation options. However, some people worry that if they are not comfortable with technology or do not want to use a phone app, their hearing aids will not work properly.
This is simply not the case. Your hearing aids will function perfectly well without ever connecting to a smartphone. The app is a bonus, not a requirement. It gives you greater control over your listening experience if you want it, but it will never hold your hearing back if you prefer to keep things simple.
Myth 7: Hearing Aids Can Stream Audio Directly from the TV
Many clients are genuinely amazed to learn that modern hearing aids can stream audio directly from devices such as mobile phones, tablets and computers. The ability to take phone calls or listen to music straight through your hearing aids is something that catches a lot of people off guard in the best possible way.
It is worth noting that streaming directly from a television usually requires an additional accessory, so it is slightly different from streaming from a phone or tablet. That said, the options available are still impressive, and our audiologists are always happy to walk you through what is possible with the specific models we recommend.
Myth 8: Hearing Aids Will Make You Hear Everything Perfectly in Any Situation
While modern hearing aids are remarkable, it is important to have realistic expectations. Some clients are surprised to find that even with excellent hearing aids, a very noisy environment such as a busy restaurant can still be challenging. The important thing to understand is that this is not a failing of the device; even people with perfectly normal hearing find complex listening environments difficult.
What hearing aids do is give you the best possible chance of following conversation and engaging with the world around you. They are a tool, and like any tool, they work best when you understand what they are designed to do.
Myth 9: You Can Choose Any Style of Hearing Aid You Like
There is a wide variety of hearing aid styles available, from devices that sit behind the ear to those that fit entirely within the ear canal. However, the style that is suitable for you is largely determined by the type and degree of your hearing loss, not purely by personal preference.
Your audiologist will always discuss the options that are appropriate for your specific needs, and in many cases there is still a good range of choice within those boundaries. The goal is always to find the right device for your hearing, your lifestyle and your comfort.
Myth 10: Modern Hearing Aids Do Not Use Artificial Intelligence
This one surprises almost everyone. Many of today’s premium hearing aids use artificial intelligence to continuously analyse the listening environment around you and make automatic adjustments to deliver the clearest possible sound. You do not need to press a button or change a setting; the hearing aids do it for you.
This kind of hands-free, intelligent performance is one of the biggest leaps forward in hearing aid technology in recent years, and it is something that most people have simply never heard of before they come in to see us.
The Bottom Line
If anything you have read here has surprised you, you are not alone. Modern hearing aids have changed beyond recognition over the past decade, and the gap between what people expect and what these devices can actually do is wider than ever.
The best way to find out what is possible for your own hearing is to book a hearing assessment and have an open conversation with one of our audiologists. There are no obligations, and you might just be surprised by what you discover.
