June is Men’s Health Month, a time to draw attention to the common health struggles men face, reduce stigma around seeking medical help, and empower men to take charge of their well-being. One health issue that often flies under the radar or is ignored at all ages is hearing loss. That’s why our team at LIZN will be shining a spotlight on reasons why hearing issues often go unaddressed in men and why it’s okay to find a solution.
The Silent Struggle
More than 40% in the age group 50-59 and more than 75% in the age group 60-69 have some degree of hearing loss, yet many delay seeking help for years. This ratio is also higher than women who experience hearing loss, even though men are reported to be less likely to do anything about it. The vast majority of people with hearing loss in this age group have mild or very mild hearing loss that does not bother them in quiet environments. However, as soon as you are in noise and challenging acoustics, even very slight hearing loss becomes a challenge for speech understanding. Ignoring hearing loss doesn't make it go away, and the consequences can be more serious than many realize, including poor work performance, social isolation leading to cognitive decline, and safety risks. This makes Men’s Health Month the perfect time to start addressing this common health issue to improve overall well-being.
Common Reasons Men Ignore Hearing Loss
While this issue is so common, there are many reasons why men may be more likely to ignore a hearing issue, such as:
- Stigma and Denial: For many, hearing loss may be seen as a sign of aging or vulnerability. Instead of seeking help, it’s easier to joke about “selective hearing” or blame others for mumbling.
- “It’s Not That Bad” Mentality: Hearing loss occurs gradually, making it easy to ignore or adapt to by just turning up the volume, avoiding noisy environments, or nodding along in conversations. But these small adjustments often mask a growing problem.
- Lack of Routine Screenings: Many people ensure they receive routine health checks, especially as they age, but unlike blood pressure or cholesterol checks, hearing tests aren’t always part of annual physicals. Without regular screenings, it’s easy for hearing loss to go unnoticed until it starts affecting relationships, work, and mental health.
- Lack of proper aids: The vast majority of traditional hearing aids - and especially Personal Sound amplifiers - focus on sound amplification. However, if you have mild or very mild hearing loss, you do not need amplification, but speech clarity in noisy environments.
What You Can Do
This Men’s Health Month, encourage the men in your life, or yourself, to take hearing health seriously. Learning more about LIZN Hearpieces® is a great place to start. With advanced features to amplify speech in loud environments and filter out unwanted noise, while also being discreet and portable for all-day use, LIZN Hearpieces® are the perfect solution for men struggling with hearing loss in noisy spaces who may not need a full-blown hearing aid, allowing them to discover an easy, low-commitment way to take charge of their health and fight the stigma of hearing loss.
To learn more about how LIZN Hearpieces® can help you take control of your health, visit LIZN.com
