Individuals are becoming self-dependent more than ever before. Does your car need some repairs? Just watch that YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? Again with the YouTube. Attempting to learn cursive writing? Yup…you guessed it…..YouTube.
You can find any information you might want to learn and self-learning has never been more available. Does that mean you’ll never require a professional ever again?
Not always. Take, for example, your hearing aids. Let’s imagine that you develop a need for these handy little devices. Should you run out to Walmart and get a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? It sounds fairly effortless (and gives you the illusion of self-sufficiency), but there are some considerable drawbacks. In reality, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and reliable if you come in to get a consultation with us.
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
You might think that hearing loss symptoms are fairly self-evident. Things get harder to hear, right? While that might sometimes be the case, in other situations the symptoms can be less evident. Certainly, individuals often miss the indications of hearing loss because they’re unsure about what to watch out for.
Here are a few of the most prevalent hearing loss symptoms:
- Having a tough time hearing when it’s loud: When you’re out at a nice restaurant with family and friends, you have a tough time following along with conversations. You should definitely pay attention if you detect this symptom because it’s a pretty strong sign of hearing loss.
- Needing people to repeat what they just said: You may often ask people to repeat themselves. Even if you feel as if people are speaking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the problem. If you begin to experience a great many people who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the issue.
- Exhaustion and headaches: Your brain frequently has to work extra hard as it struggles to process sound. It needs to work much harder to process information, it’s like squinting constantly, but with your ears. Tiredness and chronic headaches can be the result.
- Having to continually crank up the volume: Is the volume on your television continuously going up? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This one is often missed because it progresses slowly over a long time period.
Clearly, there are other signs of hearing loss besides these. Everyone’s experience will be slightly different. But you should certainly come see us for an assessment if you are noticing any of these symptoms.
Can a diagnosis be helpful?
So, you are realizing that you can’t hear as well as you once did. Perhaps you should run out to your local box-store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, would you go out and buy prescription glasses without having an eye exam? It might work in some cases. But knowing more about your condition is definitely indispensable.
Everyone’s experience of hearing loss is unique and complex. It’s not as though somebody just turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia inside of your ear become damaged, you usually lose your hearing in parts at a time, that is, you usually lose the ability to hear high-frequency or low-frequency sounds first.
And it frequently goes undetected. The brain is quite good at compensating for these things. Because of this, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing test. This screening process can help you discover hearing loss you may not even realize you have. This will also help you know which frequencies you’re beginning to lose (and be better able to manage your symptoms as a result.)
Visiting a hearing specialist has its advantages
Matching your hearing requirements to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll need to do on your own if you decide on over-the-counter hearing aids.
But your hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your specific hearing needs if you consult with a hearing specialist. We will help you select the ideal device for your requirements and we will tune it to boost the particular frequency that you’re having difficulty hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following benefits:
- Your hearing specialist can help you understand how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having difficulty understanding how to best use them.
- Confidence, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Adjusting your hearing aid more successfully is also something your hearing specialist can also help you with. So that you can get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is essential.
- Your hearing specialist can help you plan the appropriate maintenance for your hearing aid, ensuring that your devices last for as long as possible.
Even if you get lucky enough to select the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing experience will most likely be less than ideal.
You will also be better able to manage your hearing loss symptoms with the assistance of a hearing specialist. Feeling isolated from family and friends due to hearing loss will be a lot less likely if you take the correct approach. You’ll be able to keep those relationships. And that can be exceptionally important.
Everything doesn’t always have to be DIY
Getting help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are in some way less self-sufficient. Quite the opposite, actually. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be enhanced by using the correct hearing aids.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, regulate your symptoms, and pick out the right device for your needs.
In other words, if you suspect you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!