Hearing Loss - You Need To Hear This

👂 You need to hear this.
Today we’re talking about something you might not think about — your hearing. I’m sharing my own journey with hearing loss, the surprises (like how loud my bathroom fan really was!), and why taking care of your hearing is about so much more than just hearing better.

If you’ve ever wondered about hearing aids, felt insecure about needing them, or love someone who struggles to hear, this episode is for you. Let’s take the stigma out of hearing loss and learn to advocate for ourselves — one small step, and one little hearing aid, at a time.

Transcript

Hi, it’s Mary, and welcome to Being Mary.

Today, I want to talk about something personal — something I never thought I’d be sharing on a podcast: my hearing loss, and my journey with hearing aids.

We need to learn to trust our loved ones. So many of us — especially those of us who grew up being taught to “pull up our bootstraps” — tend to ignore our own health issues. We push through confusion, memory lapses, or hearing difficulties because we think we’re tough.

But here’s the thing: when someone who loves you — a son, a daughter, a spouse, a friend — gently says, “Hey… I think I’m noticing something,” we need to listen.

They’re not coming to take anything away from us. Honestly, let’s be real — they don’t want to have to take care of us down the road. They’ve got their own busy lives. So, one of the best things we can do for ourselves and for them is to advocate for our own health and well-being.

So today, let’s talk about hearing loss. Let’s raise a little awareness and maybe even remove some of the stigma and insecurity around it.

It’s not scary — and hearing aids have come a long way from the big, bulky devices our parents or grandparents wore.

 [Here’s mine — just look how small and discreet it is.]

………………………………

I remember when I first got mine — oh boy, was that an adjustment. For years I didn’t realize just how much sound I was missing. The first time I went into the bathroom with my hearing aids in, I thought a freight train was coming through the room — turns out, it was just the bathroom fan!

And then my poor grandchildren — I kept asking them to stop being so loud. All of a sudden everything sounded so loud to me! But here’s the thing: your brain adjusts. Pretty soon those new sounds settle in and you don’t even notice them anymore.

Even noisy arenas don’t bother me now — at first I used to have to turn my hearing aids off in a rink because it was overwhelming. Now? I don’t even think about it.

And honestly? These new hearing aids are incredible. They’re Bluetooth-enabled — so I can listen to my podcasts through them just like I’m wearing earbuds. They’re discreet, they’re comfortable, and nobody even notices them. Just… remember to take them out before you jump in a swimming pool. Just sayin’.

If you’re someone who communicates with someone who has hearing loss, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• We often look directly at your face — it helps us connect and catch the words more easily, especially in noisy or crowded situations.
• Please be patient. Sometimes people snap at us when we ask for things to be repeated, but we’re doing our best.
• If we don’t hear you and just nod or smile, it’s not because we’re being rude — sometimes we’re just trying to get through the moment without making a scene.

For those wearing hearing aids, it’s about figuring out what works for you, when you feel comfortable wearing them, and how to advocate for yourself.

A few years ago, I never imagined I’d be doing a podcast about my hearing aids. But here we are — because we’ve come a long way, and because it’s important.

And I’d love to hear your stories, too. If you’ve struggled with insecurity, or if you’ve been through your own journey with hearing loss and hearing aids, send me a message. Tell me how it’s been for you.

And finally — you really need to hear this:
 Even mild hearing loss doubles your risk of developing dementia later in life.

But there’s good news: wearing hearing aids can help keep your brain stimulated and functioning well for much longer.

So if you’ve noticed you’re saying “What?” more often, or turning up the TV louder, or struggling to understand people in restaurants — please don’t just brush it off.

Make an appointment with a licensed audiologist and get evaluated.

Because your health — and your mind — are worth it.

Thanks for listening, and as always, for being here, being you, and being honest.