Do you remember the Pixar movie Up?

Main character Carl Fredericksen wears a hearing aid in Up, one that he’s constantly fiddling with and wincing from the whistling. While Carl is meant to be a stereotypical older gentleman in the film, that connection between hearing aids and old age is one that, for many people, can’t be disassociated very easily.

Hearing aids have long been linked to fears of aging and looking old, and we’ve seen many patients shy away from hearing aids because they don’t want to look like their grandparents. However, hearing aids of today have come far beyond your grandparents’ devices – even Carl’s hearing aid in the movie is pretty outdated by this point!

The Beige Banana

When you first think of a hearing aid, chances are you think of the massive skin-toned device that sits behind your ear – the beige banana, as we’ve started affectionately calling it.

Unwieldy, awkward, and plain ugly, these kinds of hearing aids aren’t anyone’s favorites to look at, and since they’re the first image in people’s minds, we can’t blame them for running the other way.

However, the geriatric beige banana isn’t what hearing aids look like anymore. Modern and advanced hearing aid technology is not only a fourth of the size of what it used to be, but it’s significantly more powerful; with real-time adjustments at the touch of a button, you won’t need to sit and fiddle with your hearing aid at dinner any longer.

Rather, most of the hearing aids we prescribe come with a litany of incredible features like Bluetooth capabilities, smartphone connectivity, quick-time adjustments, remote support…

Modern technology has made not only a more powerful hearing aid possible but also a much more discreet one. Many models of hearing aids are so nearly invisible, many people won’t notice you’re wearing one at all.

Wait, What Did You Say?

Something that a colleague once said has always stuck with me, and it’s something I often tell patients who hesitate to correct their hearing with hearing aids: “Your hearing loss is more conspicuous than a hearing aid.”

That confused face of someone leaning in, cupping their hand around their ear, and asking for constant repetition… Feeling left out of the conversation isn’t fun and can lead to more serious concerns of isolation from social events if left unchecked.

Untreated hearing loss can be obvious, but hearing aids have become increasingly invisible. Gone are the days of the beige banana!

Nowadays, wearing devices in our ears is significantly more normal: AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, gaming headsets – we’re all very used to seeing people out and about with devices in our ears to listen to music or take a call. One of the perks of Apple’s recent foray into hearing care is the normalization of wearing devices in our ears to hear better.

Hearing aids do not make you look older. Struggling in social situations, feeling unsuccessful in conversation comprehension, and that sense of loss when you’re trying to understand will make you feel significantly older – and untreated hearing loss can lead to more harmful side effects that won’t help that aged feeling, either.

Explore Hearing Technology with Hearing & Balance Doctors

Advanced hearing technology could prove to be an incredible boost to your hearing capabilities, whether you’re looking for the latest model with all the features or something simple and automatic.

We’re happy to help you explore hearing aids, whether your newest pair or your first pair, and guide you to make an informed decision for the betterment of your hearing health.