Ask your audiologist...

Be an encourager, not a discourager!

Hearing aids are a need, not a want. Don't discourage others from trying hearing aids. Watch what you say. If you have a poor experience with hearing aids and share that with others, they may not try them, even though they need them.

For most people that need hearing aids, they are a wonderful invention. Most people with hearing loss have a better quality of life when they are properly fit with hearing aids. A person properly fit will claim that they don't know how they could get along without them.

A quality hearing aid should do well in a quiet room. Some people sort noise and understand better than others. Try not to compare yourself to others; not everyone has the same benefits from hearing aids. Benefit will depend on your age, cognitive ability and degree of the loss of hearing. Buy what you can afford. Sound smoothing of background noise does cost more money.

Millions of people do well with hearing aids and are glad to have them because they help, yet millions of others don't even try them because of discouraging things other people have said. Remember, it is human nature to complain more than compliment.

Dr. Tia Flynn is a certified audiologist and has been in business for over 14 years. Every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to noon, Dr. Flynn provides free hearing screenings at 1601 3rd St. in Coeur d'Alene. (208) 664-2767. Visit our newly updated website www.affordablehearinginc.com for an online hearing test and watch helpful videos.