People are becoming self-dependent more than they ever did. Does your car need some repairs? Just watch that YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? Again with the YouTube. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? YouTube… look, you get the idea.
Anything you want to learn, you can find, and there’s great potential to teach and educate yourself on the Internet. Does that mean you’ll never require a specialist ever again?
Not always. Hearing aids are a good example. Imagine if you notice some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these helpful little devices. Should you race out to Walmart and get a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this may make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are some real downsides. As a matter of fact, consulting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more effective and more comfortable.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
You may think that hearing loss symptoms are fairly self-evident. Things get harder to hear, right? Well, yes, but the presentations of hearing loss can be much more variable, and far less obvious. In many instances, we don’t know what to watch out for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Having to continually crank the volume up: Is your television volume continuously going up? Well, there’s your first common sign. This is one of the more obvious ones, but it tends to progress so slowly that it’s frequently missed.
- 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. Tiredness and chronic headaches can be the consequence.
- Requesting that people repeat themselves: You’re frequently needing people to repeat what they said. Even if you feel like 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 individuals start to sound like their “mumbling”.
- Having a difficult time hearing when it’s loud: When you’re out at dinner with friends and family, you have a difficult time following along with discussions. You should definitely pay attention if you notice this symptom because it’s a fairly powerful indication of hearing loss.
Clearly, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everyone’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 helpful?
So, you are recognizing that you can’t hear as well as you once did. Why not simply go to the store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be kind of like buying some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. In the majority of situations, it will be essential to have a strong understanding of the exact nature of your condition.
Everyone’s experience of hearing loss is unique and complex. It’s not as if the volume in your ear is simply turned down. Instead, as stereocilia in your ear become damaged, you tend to lose your hearing in parts at a time, that is, you normally lose the ability to hear high-frequency or low-frequency sounds first.
And it frequently goes undetected. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is extremely good at. For this reason, it’s usually necessary to get a hearing assessment. You may not even know you have hearing loss but a hearing assessment can uncover any you might have. You’ll also have the chance to correctly diagnose which frequencies are fading the quickest (and be better able to manage your symptoms because of this.)
Seeing 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 go with over-the-counter hearing aids.
But when you visit a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your requirements. We will help you select the ideal device for your requirements and we will tune it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having difficulty hearing.
Here are some other advantages to seeing a hearing specialist:
- When you have trouble using or comprehending how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help take you step-by-step through the process and be sure you understand how to get the most out of your devices.
- Your hearing specialist can help you set up the appropriate maintenance for your hearing aid, ensuring that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Adjusting your hearing aid more successfully is also something your hearing specialist can also help you with. This is critical to a quality experience with your devices.
- The ability to help you personalize the general fit of your hearing aid, ensuring your devices are comfortable and work properly.
Without the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will most likely be less optimal, even if you do happen to select 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. With the right approach, you’ll be a lot less likely to lose touch with friends or become distant with family on account of your hearing loss symptoms. You’ll be able to maintain those relationships. And for most people, that’s one of the most worthwhile 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 just the opposite. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be increased by using the correct hearing aids.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and choosing the correct 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 call us!