As someone who has spent years navigating the world of audiology, I’ve realized that helping others embrace hearing health is about more than just telling them what to do yet meeting them where they are. As a lifelong hearing aid user — spanning the evolution from clunky analog devices to today’s sleek, high-tech digital models — I’ve learned firsthand that no one likes to be told they “need” something, especially regarding hearing loss.
A saying resonates deeply with me: Tell me, I’ll forget; show me, I may remember; involve me, and I’ll understand. This philosophy has shaped how I approach conversations about hearing health. Instead of insisting, I share my journey openly. I show people that being hard of hearing doesn’t define me, it is part of who I am — and it’s nothing to shy away from.
Whether I’m wearing those early, bulky analog hearing aids or the sophisticated, Bluetooth-enabled models I use today, I’ve always been proud to showcase the tech on my ears. My mission? To spark curiosity, break stigmas, and invite others to explore hearing health in an empowering, not intimidating way.
The Role of Technology in Hearing Health
The advancements in hearing aid technology over the years have been remarkable—not just for people like me, but for everyone. Much of the innovation in hearing aids has shaped the consumer audio devices we all use today, from earbuds to noise-canceling headphones. I like to think of myself as a guinea pig for the many promising techs, testing how they improve clarity in conversation, manage noise, and promote hearing health, thus, overall body wellness.
Hearing aids have gone from simple amplifiers to highly personalized devices capable of filtering out specific types of noise, connecting seamlessly to smartphones, and even adjusting to different environments automatically. The technology inside most listening devices isn’t just about making sounds louder — it’s about making them more clear, helping people communicate effectively and experience the world more fully.
My mission goes beyond my own experience. As someone who values hearing health, I am its ambassador, advocating why it’s essential to all of us. On behalf of countless companies — from startups to industry leaders — I’m here to meet you where you are, raising awareness and encouraging conversations about hearing health, no matter your age or level of hearing ability.
The Unintended Consequences of Noise
Noise is unavoidable in modern life, affecting everyone in ways we often don’t realize. While we might think of gaming, loud concerts, or construction sites as obvious sources of noise pollution, daily and persistent noise and sounds have harmful unintended consequences.
Take, for example, the constant stream of alerts, notifications, and ringtones from our devices. These sounds are designed to grab our attention, often interrupting us with sharp, jarring tones. The average smartphone user hears dozens—if not hundreds — of these alerts daily, often at unnecessarily loud volumes. Over time, this exposure can contribute to hearing fatigue, stress, long-term damage and inability to focus.
Another example is public spaces, like airports or shopping malls. While they may seem innocuous, these environments are filled with overlapping layers of sound – from announcements to background music to the chatter of crowds. This constant noise can lead to sensory overload, making it difficult for our brains to process and filter what we hear – leading to fatigue.
Even something as seemingly harmless as the hum of appliances or the drone of traffic can have unintended consequences. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to low-frequency noise can affect sleep quality, increase stress levels, and even impact cardiovascular health. What if there is a proactive way to manage and mitigate the conundrum of noise, sound, and hearing, like Lifelong Sound Health?
Lifelong Sound Health Breaks Stigmas and Embraces Proactive Hearing Health
Hearing issues often remain hidden despite the prevalence of noise in our lives. It’s surprising how many people don’t talk about hearing problems with their doctors — or even know what an audiologist does. This silence stems from a lack of awareness, which we must change, like the classic stigmas of high cost and vanity. Hearing challenges are deeply personal and often hard to articulate, even to professionals. That’s why we need to reframe the conversation.
At Akoio, their “Lifelong Sound Health” philosophy is a straightforward and proactive way to think about hearing health. It’s about understanding your auditory exposure in everyday terms: noise, sound, and hearing. Think of it like sun exposure. Just as we know too much sun can harm our skin, we should consider how noise exposure impacts our ears and overall health.
Start by asking yourself simple questions:
- What environments expose me to loud or harmful noise? Think about noisy commutes, busy workplaces, or recreational activities like concerts or sports events.
- How do my devices—headphones, speakers, etc.—affect my hearing? Are you listening at safe volumes, or raising the volume up too high?
- Am I protecting my ears at home, during my commute, work, or socializing? Do you use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones in loud environments?
- Are there situations where I am exposed to prolonged noise or sound levels that could cause damage over time? Consider daily habits like using power tools, attending fitness classes with loud music, or even the cumulative effect of city living.
Breaking it down this way makes hearing health more approachable. By understanding your auditory habits, you’re taking the first step toward better sound health—without the dreaded feeling of being told, “You need a hearing aid.”
Reframing Hearing Health for Everyone
One of the most significant barriers to addressing hearing loss is the stigma associated with it. For many, wearing a hearing aid feels like an admission of aging or vulnerability, this perspective needs to change. Hearing aids are excellent assistive devices that enhance our quality of life and help us engage more fully with the world. That is where awareness plays a crucial role. Education about hearing health should start early, just like lessons about dental care or protecting our skin from the sun. By normalizing conversations about hearing, we can empower people to take control of their hearing health.
For example, schools could incorporate lessons about the dangers of excessive gaming noise and loud music and the importance of safe listening habits. Workplaces could provide noise protection resources and encourage employees to monitor their hearing health. For individuals, it’s about recognizing that hearing health is vital to overall wellness—not something to ignore until a problem arises.
A Call to Awareness
The key to improving hearing health is awareness. Whether you’re dealing with hearing loss, tinnitus, or other auditory challenges, it’s important to acknowledge the role sound plays in your overall well-being.
Hearing is a deeply personal sense, yet it’s also one we all share. From the soothing sounds of nature to the voices of loved ones, hearing connects us to the world and to each other. Protecting that connection is worth the effort.
So, let’s embrace the tools, resources, and technology available to us. Let’s talk openly about hearing health in a way that’s thoughtful, accessible, and stigma-free. And most importantly, let’s commit to a future where sound health is a priority for everyone—because when we listen, we thrive.
By thinking critically about how we interact with noise, sound, and hearing daily, we can all take steps toward better hearing health. After all, sound isn’t just something we hear—it’s something we live.