Baby Boomers are slaying the stigma of hearing loss

For part of each week, I work in a building that houses start-up companies. Recently, a middle-aged friend approached me in the communal lunchroom. “You’ve got to see it,” he exclaimed, “I shelled out big bucks for this beauty, but it does everything! Music, telephone, and best of all, I’m hearing the engine hum---something I haven’t heard in years!” “You just bought a Maserati,” I guessed. “Nope,” he said, proudly pointing to his ear, “A hearing aid.” Turns out the engine hum he was talking about was coming from his refrigerator, not a V-8 engine.  That’s when it hit me: Hearing loss is losing its social stigma. Baby Boomers are changing the way that society perceives hearing loss. Whereas their parents, as senior citizens, tended to be resistant to technology and tended to be overly resistant to spending money on themselves, this new generation of seniors is embracing digital technology and the latest developments in hearing technology. Many are not allowing hearing loss to prevent them from leading an otherwise active and youthful lifestyle. It’s a great time to be a healthcare professional. Try clEAR auditory brain training---you’ll be amazed by how it enhances your everyday conversations.EARS train the brain