How Is The Latest Technology Saving Us From Detrimental Hearing Loss

Ten years ago, we started noticing that our family members couldn't hear clearly on phone calls. We blamed it on poor network signals, which was common back in 2014. Around the same time, we saw them leaning forward while watching TV. No one thought much of it. But when they kept asking us to increase the volume during dinner, we realized something was wrong. We suspected hearing loss, but explaining it to them was challenging.

From their point of view, it made no sense. Why would they believe they had hearing loss when everything seemed normal to them? People around them started speaking louder, and the TV remote was always in their hands to adjust the volume. They felt like they were fine, so being told they had hearing loss was hard to accept. The stigma around hearing loss also made it more difficult. They started asking themselves, "Am I really getting old?" They didn’t want to spend money on something they weren’t sure of.

Eventually, we convinced them to see a doctor. The family physician referred us to an ENT, and finally, we met an audiologist who diagnosed age-related hearing loss. This process took a lot of effort—convincing them, scheduling appointments, and balancing our commitments like jobs or college. By the time we got a proper diagnosis, it was too late. They had severe hearing loss, and the options for treatment were limited. The audiologist even mentioned that hearing loss could affect balance, which we had noticed too.

Looking back, we realized how ignoring their hearing health impacted them. We wished there had been a simpler way to check their hearing at home.

Fast forward to 2024, and now, thanks to growing awareness, there’s an easier way to screen hearing loss right at home. The Able Assistant app allows you to screen your hearing in under three minutes from the comfort of your home. It simplifies the process of getting hearing care and includes a chatbot, Able Assistant, which answers any hearing-related questions in simple, easy-to-understand language. You can even ask questions in your native language. The app also helps you find RCI-certified audiologists near you in just a few clicks.