People are more self-reliant than ever. Does your car need some repairs? Simply watch that YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? Again with the YouTube. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? Yup…you guessed it…..YouTube.
You can discover any information you might want to know and self-learning has never been more accessible. Does that mean you’ll never need a professional ever again?
Not always. Take, for instance, your hearing aids. Let’s envision that you develop a need for these useful little devices. Does that mean you should just go out to the local pharmacy and grab a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this may make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the easy option, there are a few real disadvantages. In fact, visiting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
The symptoms of hearing loss may appear to be straightforward, even obvious. Things get harder to hear, right? While that might sometimes be the case, in other situations the symptoms can be less obvious. In many instances, we are unaware of what to look for and we miss the symptoms of hearing loss.
Here are some of the most prevalent hearing loss symptoms:
- Exhaustion and headaches: Your brain often has to work extra hard as it struggles to process sound. It needs to work much harder to process information, it’s like squinting all the time, but with your ears. This can trigger chronic headaches and exhaustion.
- The constant need to turn the volume up: Are you always turning up the volume on your television? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This is one of the more obvious ones, but it tends to progress so slowly that it’s often missed.
- Having a difficult time hearing when it’s loud: Do you have a difficult time keeping up with conversations when you go out to eat with friends or family? You should definitely pay attention if you notice this symptom because it’s a pretty powerful sign of hearing loss.
- Asking people to repeat themselves: You might often ask people to repeat themselves. Even if you feel as if people are speaking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the issue. You should consider whether it’s a problem with your ears if lots of people start to seem like their “mumbling”.
Naturally, these symptoms aren’t always the only signs of hearing loss. Everyone’s experience will be a bit different. But if you are noticing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit us to get a diagnosis.
Can a diagnosis be helpful?
So, you are recognizing that you can’t hear as well as you used to. Why not just go to the store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be sort of like buying some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. It might work sometimes. But understanding more about your condition is absolutely indispensable.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex condition. It’s not like somebody just turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia in 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 most individuals don’t even detect it. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is quite good at. That’s why a hearing test is often needed. This screening process can help you expose hearing loss you may not even know you have. You’ll also have the chance to accurately diagnose which frequencies are fading the quickest (and be better capable of managing your symptoms because of this.)
Benefits of going to a hearing specialist
When you go and purchase a hearing aid off the shelf, you’ll be doing the best you can to match what’s available on the shelf with what you need.
But your hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your particular hearing needs if you consult with a hearing specialist. We will help you pick the ideal device for your needs and we will calibrate it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having difficulty hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- Your hearing specialist can also help you figure out how to adjust your hearing aid properly. So that you can get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is crucial.
- Your hearing specialist will help you comprehend how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having trouble understanding how to best use them.
- The ability to help you individualize the overall fit of your hearing aid, ensuring your devices are comfortable and work properly.
- Your hearing specialist can ensure that your hearing aids last as long as possible by helping you comprehend and plan correct upkeep and maintenance.
Even if you get lucky enough to pick the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the benefit of a hearing specialist, your hearing experience will most likely be less than optimal.
You will also be better able to manage your hearing loss symptoms with the help of a hearing specialist. With the correct approach, you’ll be a lot less likely to lose touch with friends or become distant with family because of your hearing loss symptoms. Those connections will be preserved. And for most individuals, that’s one of the most worthwhile parts of life.
Not everything has to be DIY
Seeking help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are in some way less self-sufficient. Quite the opposite, actually. The right hearing aid can improve your independence and self-sufficiency.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and selecting the right hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
So contact us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.