People are becoming self-dependent more than they ever did. Want to fix up your car? Simply 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 discover any information you may want to learn and self-learning has never been more accessible. So the real question is, are we finished needing experts?
Not always. Hearing aids are a good example. Let’s imagine that you develop a need for these beneficial little devices. Does that mean you should just drive up to the local pharmacy and grab a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this may make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the convenient option, there are some real disadvantages. As a matter of fact, consulting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
The symptoms of hearing loss might appear to be clear-cut, even obvious. Things become more difficult to hear, right? Well, yes, but the presentations of hearing loss can be much more diverse, and much less evident. In many instances, we don’t know what to look for and we miss the symptoms of hearing loss.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- The persistent need to crank the volume up: Is your television volume continuously going up? Well, there’s your first common sign. This one is often missed because it develops slowly over a long period of time.
- Having a difficult time hearing when it’s noisy: When you’re out at dinner with family and friends, you have a hard time following along with conversations. You should definitely pay attention if you notice this symptom because it’s a pretty powerful sign of hearing loss.
- Requesting that people repeat themselves: You might frequently ask people to repeat themselves. This is a sign of hearing loss, even if it seems like the volume is the problem. If you start to come across a great many individuals who “mumble,” it may be your ears that are the issue.
- Headaches and exhaustion: Typically, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It’s like you’re constantly squinting with your ears as your brain works overtime attempting to process sound. Fatigue and chronic headaches can be the result.
Clearly, there are other signs of hearing loss besides these. Everybody’s experience will be slightly different. But if you are noticing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit us to get a diagnosis.
Why is a diagnosis useful?
So, you are realizing that you can’t hear as well as you once did. Maybe you should go out to your local box-store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, that would be kind of like buying some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. It may work in some cases. But understanding more about your condition is absolutely indispensable.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex condition. It’s not as if the volume in your ear is merely turned down. Actually, people tend to lose their hearing in specific frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear get damaged.
And it often goes unnoticed. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is very good at. Because of this, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing exam. You may not even know you have hearing loss but a hearing test can expose any you may have. This will also help you know which frequencies you’re beginning to lose (and be better capable of managing your symptoms as a result.)
Advantages of working with a hearing specialist
Matching your hearing needs to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll need to do on your own if you go with over-the-counter hearing aids.
But when you go see a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be customized to your requirements. We will help you select the ideal device for your needs and we will tune it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having trouble hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following benefits:
- The ability to help you customize the general fit of your hearing aid, ensuring your devices are comfortable and work properly.
- Your hearing specialist can help you plan the necessary maintenance for your hearing aid, ensuring that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Your hearing specialist can help you comprehend how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having trouble understanding how to best utilize them.
- Adjusting your hearing aid more effectively is also something your hearing specialist can also help you with. This is critical to a good experience with your devices.
Without the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will most likely be less ideal, even if you do happen to pick the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.
You will also be better capable of managing your hearing loss symptoms with the assistance of a hearing specialist. Feeling isolated from family and friends because of hearing loss will be a great deal less likely if you take the right approach. Those connections will be preserved. And for most individuals, that’s one of the most important parts of life.
Not everything has to be DIY
Getting help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are somehow less self-sufficient. In fact, it’s actually the opposite. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be increased by using the correct hearing aids.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and picking out the right hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
In other words, if you suspect you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!
