You’re not quite sure why, but you’ve been feeling moody lately. Well, you did feel excluded earlier today when no one took the time to pull you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was irritating. Last night your daughter seemed annoyed with you when you asked her to turn up the volume of the TV over and over again leading to her suddenly leaving the house. What’s the story with that?
Did you ever stop to think that maybe you could be experiencing hearing loss?
Hearing loss is an issue for about 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And, the problem doesn’t end at your ears, either. Research reveals that even slight hearing loss puts you at risk for memory issues, cognitive decline, and even depression. What you might believe is just a sign of age, may actually be a treatable medical problem. Perhaps, you missed significant conversational cues and your coworkers didn’t actually exclude you from the meeting after all. The fact is, if you can’t hear very well during your day-to-day life, it can become extremely frustrating.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Finding out a little more about what you’re coping with is a practical place to begin. Hearing loss does happen to lots of people due to the aging process. But years of exposure to overly loud noise can also be the cause for others. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by lots of noise sources, like mowing the lawn and leaf blowing, listening to loud music, and driving in heavy traffic with the window down. The delicate mechanisms in your ear can be harmed by lots of sounds in the world.
Another potential cause of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more common with age. When you have conditions that cause issues with your blood pressure, your inner ear can become damaged.
Recognize the signs
People generally don’t detect when their hearing starts to go because hearing is often taken for granted:
- You’re always asking people to repeat themselves or even worse, saying ‘what’ a lot
- When people are having discussions, you always feel left out
- Struggling to comprehend words when there’s background noise like a fan or the AC
If you recognize any of these hearing loss indicators, it’s no wonder you’re grumpy! Depression and social solitude can be the consequence of feeling separated from your world.
Develop a plan to manage hearing loss
Start by asking a family member or a loved one if they have noticed you struggling to hear conversations or if you say “What?” a little too often. It’s a crucial discussion even if it’s a difficult one. If the answer is ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing assessment should be your next step and will simplify things for you. Ask your loved one to accompany you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive person with you.
Your hearing test will both gauge whether you’re dealing with hearing loss and how significant it has become. Depending on the results of your exam, we will be able to decide on your best course of action going forward. Typically, hearing aids will be a principal part of the treatment plan. Don’t worry, there are so many choices and features that you’re sure to find hearing aids that are perfect for your lifestyle!
Deciding on quality hearing aids
We’ll have recommendations that will be best suited for your unique type of hearing loss. Take some to time determine the right brand and model for your needs, this may require testing a few styles and models. Hearing aids don’t simply amplify sound nowadays. They can block out background sounds, connect to smartphones and computers, and even pinpoint the direction of a sound. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids come with different features, so research them to determine what features you need to better your life.
Also, don’t forget to consider styles. Some models have no color and are nearly invisible and other models come in vibrant colors.
Schedule a hearing assessment with our qualified hearing specialists today if you suspect you might be experiencing hearing loss. It’s time to get out of that cranky mindset and we can help!
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/