About the Hearing Matters Podcast
 
The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S. - HIS and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CC, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA. C-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services.

In this episode, Blaise Delfino speaks with Audiology Services patient Richard Taylor about hearing loss and getting hearing instruments. 

A Lifetime in the Printing Industry

Mr. Taylor spent his entire career, 50 years, in the printing business. He did not use hearing protection, although as the owner of a printing company, he encouraged his workers who ran the presses to do so. They would wear headphones or some form of hearing protection when he was there, but we he went on sales calls, they would take them off. They claimed they couldn’t adjust to wearing them, and that they were uncomfortable.

In the Navy

Mr. Taylor also spent several years in the Navy aboard aircraft carriers, where he says, it was impossible to get away from the noise. It was noisy 24/7.

Mr. Taylor didn’t think much about his hearing loss, until his daughter, Pam, made him aware of it. Also a patient at Audiology Services, Pam took her father to see the practitioners at the age of 90. He put off getting hearing aids because of vanity.

Most People Delay Getting Help

Dr. Gregory Delfino says most people delay getting hearing instruments because of the way they look and the stigma that “only old people get hearing aids.” Usually once people get hearing instruments and find out how wonderful it is to hear again, they no longer care about how the hearing aids look.  

Mr. Taylor says he is so happy to have gotten hearing instruments. He can’t say enough good things about them. He says it’s like having a whole new life. He encourages everyone who has hearing problems to get help. He adds that if a person has financial problems, that can be worked out with the audiologist. There are a number of payment plans and a variety of prices to fit every budget. Audiology Services now offers a leasing plan, with the lowest costing hearing aids at $15/month.

Blaise adds that the cost of untreated hearing loss is much greater than that of hearing aids. Untreated hearing loss has a number of comorbidities, including dementia, diabetes, heart disease and many other chronic diseases.

A Whole New World

Mr. Taylor says he’ll never forget the day he left Audiology Services with his new hearing instruments. He heard a bird chirping and was just delighted. He says it was an emotional moment. He waited 90 years but now can hear. He strongly advises anyone who is having trouble hearing to get fitted with hearing instruments. He says, “Don’t ignore hearing loss another day.”

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