People are more self-reliant than ever. Want to fix up your car? Simply watch that YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? YouTube video. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? Yup…you guessed it…..YouTube.
Anything you want to know, you can find, and there’s excellent potential to teach and train yourself on the Internet. Does that mean you’ll never need a professional ever again?
Well, not exactly. Take, for example, your hearing aids. Imagine if you notice some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these helpful little devices. Should you run out to Walmart and pick up a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel like you’re being self-sufficient and sound like the convenient option, there are some real downsides. In fact, consulting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
Hearing loss signs
The symptoms of hearing loss may appear to be clear-cut, even obvious. You are unable to hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the presentations of hearing loss can be a lot more variable, and much less apparent. Indeed, people often miss the indications of hearing loss because they don’t know what to look for.
Here are some of the most prevalent hearing loss symptoms:
- Headaches and fatigue: Often, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It’s having 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 constantly turn the volume up: Is the volume on your television continuously going up? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This one is frequently missed because it develops slowly over a long time period.
- Requesting that people repeat themselves: You might frequently ask people to repeat themselves. Even if it seems as if people are talking 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 seem like their “mumbling”.
- Having a tough time hearing when it’s loud: Do you have a hard time keeping up with conversations when you go out to dinner with friends or family? You should certainly pay attention if you observe this symptom because it’s a rather strong sign of hearing loss.
Clearly, there are other signs of hearing loss besides these. Everyone’s experience will be somewhat different. But you should absolutely come see us for an assessment if you are noticing any of these symptoms.
Why is a diagnosis helpful?
So, you are recognizing that you can’t hear as well as you once did. Maybe you should go 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? In the majority of cases, it will be essential to have a detailed understanding of the precise nature of your condition.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex issue. It’s not like the volume in your ear is merely turned down. Actually, individuals tend to lose their hearing in specific frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear become damaged.
And it often goes undetected. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is very good at. For this reason, it’s usually necessary to get a hearing assessment. This screening process can help you expose hearing loss you might not even realize you have. This will also help you understand which frequencies you’re starting to lose (and be better capable of managing your symptoms because of this.)
Advantages of working with a hearing specialist
When you go and purchase a hearing aid at the store, you’ll be doing your best to match what’s available on the shelf with what you need.
But your hearing aids can be calibrated to your particular hearing needs if you go to a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist can help you choose the best device for your symptoms and then tailor that device specifically for the wavelengths you need help with.
Here are a few other benefits to seeing a hearing specialist:
- Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a professional fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can help you plan the appropriate maintenance for your hearing aid, making sure that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Adjusting your hearing aid more effectively is also something your hearing specialist can also assist you with. This is crucial to a quality experience with your devices.
- When you have problems using or understanding 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.
Without the benefit 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.
In addition, hearing specialists will be able to help you manage your hearing loss symptoms. Feeling isolated from friends and family because of hearing loss will be a great deal less likely if you take the right approach. Those relationships will be preserved. And that can be extremely important.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
Getting help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are in some way less self-sufficient. As a matter of fact, it’s actually the opposite. The right hearing aid can improve your independence and self-sufficiency.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and choosing the right hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
So call us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.