Individuals are becoming self-reliant more than they ever did. Does your car require some repairs? Simply watch that YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? Again with the YouTube. Attempting to learn cursive writing? YouTube… look, you get the point.
You can discover any information you may want to learn and self-learning has never been more accessible. Does that mean you’ll never need an expert ever again?
Well, not exactly. Take, for example, your hearing aids. Let’s imagine that you develop a need for these handy little devices. Should you race 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 solution, there are some real downsides. Actually, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and reliable if you come in to get a consultation with us.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
You might think that hearing loss symptoms are fairly self-evident. Things get harder to hear, right? While that may sometimes be the truth, in other circumstances the symptoms can be less obvious. In many cases, we are unaware of what to watch out for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Here are some of the most prevalent hearing loss symptoms:
- Asking people to repeat themselves: You’re frequently needing people to repeat what they said. Even if it seems as if people are talking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the problem. If you begin to come across a great many individuals who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the problem.
- Having to constantly turn the volume up: Is the volume on your television constantly going up? Well, there’s your first common symptom. This is one of the more obvious ones, but it tends to progress so gradually that it’s frequently missed.
- Headaches and tiredness: Your brain often has to work overtime as it struggles to process sound. It’s like you’re continuously squinting with your ears as your brain works extra hard attempting to process sound. Fatigue and chronic headaches can be the outcome.
- Having a difficult time hearing when it’s noisy: Do you have a hard time keeping up with conversations when you go out to dinner with friends or family? This is generally a fairly reliable sign that some amount of hearing loss may be happening.
Naturally, these symptoms aren’t necessarily the only signs of hearing loss. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is unique. 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 have hearing loss symptoms. 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 purchasing some corrective glasses without knowing your prescription. It may work in some cases. But understanding more about your condition is definitely indispensable.
Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is unique and complex. It’s not as though somebody simply turns the volume knob in your ear. Actually, people tend to lose their hearing in particular frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear become damaged.
And it often goes unnoticed. The brain is quite good at compensating for these things. That’s why a hearing test is often essential. You might not even know you have hearing loss but a hearing assessment can uncover any you might have. You’ll also have the opportunity to accurately diagnose which frequencies are fading the quickest (and because of this, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
Visiting a hearing specialist has its advantages
Matching your hearing needs to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll have to do by yourself if you go with over-the-counter hearing aids.
But when you go see a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your needs. 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.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following benefits:
- Adjusting your hearing aid more effectively is also something your hearing specialist can also help you with. This is critical to a quality experience with your devices.
- Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can make sure that your hearing aids last as long as possible by helping you comprehend and plan correct upkeep and maintenance.
- Your hearing specialist will help you understand how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having difficulty understanding how to best utilize them.
Even if you get lucky enough to select the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the benefit of a hearing specialist, your hearing experience will probably be less than ideal.
In addition, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. Feeling isolated from friends and family because of hearing loss will be much less likely if you take the correct approach. Those relationships will be maintained. And that can be exceedingly important.
Not everything has to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient just because you need some assistance with hearing aids. As a matter of fact, it’s actually the opposite. The right hearing aid can increase your independence and self-sufficiency.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, control your symptoms, and select the correct device for your requirements.
So give us a call so that we can help you address your hearing loss.