THE RISK OF HEARING DELAYS

Hearing aids can improve the quality of life for those with hearing loss, but Mr Chua noted that initially users may be reluctant to try them as they get used to them. “People think hearing aids are magical wonders, but it’s not as simple as wearing glasses,” he said. “The brain needs time to readjust to hearing.”

People generally wait six to seven years before taking steps to address their hearing loss. But the longer a person waits to manage their hearing loss, the harder it is to treat later, especially with conventional hearing aids. “Imagine having hearing loss for five years before taking action… Our brain needs time to relearn the ability to differentiate and understand what has been heard,” Mr Chua explained. “And that’s why first-time hearing aid users tend to feel more tired at the end of the day because their brains are working hard to process the sound signals.”