Q Talk

[mormel20]

I was watching the presentation of the hearing aids they are selling today.  I was rather surprised about the focus on "looks".  They kept talking about how others will not notice and at one point saying it will not hold you back in the workplace.  That shocks me.  If I need to hear better why would I CARE what other people thinks about how it looks?!   This bothers me that people would be so worried how it looks to wear a hearing aid.  And hold you back in the workplace?!  if people are so shallow that they would judge a person strictly on the LOOKS of wearing a heaing aid I would not want them in my life.

[KathyM23]

@mormel20   Sorry, but I wear hearing aids and I do care how it looks.  You must be easily shocked and naive to think that it does not hold you back in the work place also.  It is hard enough to be of age and still working and taking seriously.  I love my job and have no intention to retire as I am "of age"  Don't need the extra burden of hearing aids.  People are not shallow who equate them with aging; it is a natural reaction.

[Another new name Sue]

It makes sense that no one wants to wear something bulky and unattractive, just like we wouldn't want to wear ugly glasses, and these are barely noticable.  

[kaydee50]

When I see people of all ages with things sticking out of their ears so that they can answer their phones hands free or whatever, I have to agree with the OP.  What does it matter what hearing "aids" look like.  Seems to be the style--LOL!!!

[mormel20]

Regarding the above poster who was saying she does not want people at work to think she is too old I will say this. I used to work with a young woman in her TWENTIES that wore hearing aids.  I repeat in her 20's.  I did not say a word about age in my original comment. I have even seen little children with hearing aids.  So I stand by my statement about people not caring in the workplace. No one was in the least bothered by my young coworker in her 20's with hearing aids so why would any age be bothered?

[Kachina624]

Hearing aids have gotten smaller and smaller due to the consumer demand for them to be. inconspicuous.  I think every ad for them I've ever seen stresses how small they are and not noticeable.  Nobody want any assistance appliance which relates to old age to be obvious, just like they'd like their wrinkles not to be apparent.

[cjm61]

@mormel20 Well, my husband asked me to order them for him AFTER he saw how discreet they are. Even just now he said, "how cool if I can hear better". He has some hearing loss due to the years and years of surfing and the water build up in the ears. He isn't really that old for hearing loss but the salt water has caused damage. We watched the entire presentation and they did touch on it being not visible but also offered a lot of other information.

I don't believe it's vain, shocking or shallow that people would prefer the hearing aids are discreet and unseen. We all want to look our best don't we? I hope they do work for him, he is so excited about them. 

[icezeus]

I did not watch the presentation and currently I do not have to wear hearing aids. However, if I did, yes. I would want them to be inconspicuous. 

[PamfromCT]

Who should care if someone wears a hearing aid?  There are many people whose hearing isn’t great when they grow older, as well as younger people who need them.  It gives people back a higher quality life, and no one has to speak loudly or repeat Info to communicate with them.

I suppose wearing glasses means you are “over the hill, as well.”

Such a pathetic and shallow view of life.  People should realize that if they are fortunate to live to a certain age, they aren’t going to be like they were in their prime.  I am 77 and happy to be still around.  

[Q-Checker]

@mormel20 Thank you for your intelligent post. Of course, hearing impairments exist in all age groups and hearing aids are worn by people in all age groups, And thank goodness that they do! And also thank goodness that we pretty much got past the nonsensical  "Boys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses" phase.  I hope the same - and more - for hearing aid users. When I see someone wearing hearing aids, or having a visible cochlear implant device,my reaction is that I am grateful that technology has facilitated their ability to.communicat with others, to listen to auditory media, and to just enjoy the sounds of life. Appearance of the hearing aid is a non-issue for intelligent people. Unfortunately, the world is full of people who jump on stereotypical, superficial, and frankly old+fashioned, uninformed and stupid notions.