Individuals are more self-reliant than ever. Want to fix up your car? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? Again with the YouTube. Attempting to learn cursive writing? YouTube… look, you get the point.
Anything you want to know, you can find, and there’s great potential to teach and educate yourself on the Internet. Does that mean you’ll never need an expert ever again?
Not always. Take, for instance, your hearing aids. 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 pick up a pair 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 disadvantages. In fact, going to see 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. You can’t hear as well, right? While that may sometimes be the case, in other situations the symptoms can be less evident. In many situations, we are unaware of what to look for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Here are some of the most common hearing loss symptoms:
- Difficulty hearing conversations in loud places: Do you have a hard time following conversations when you go out to dinner with family or friends? You should certainly pay attention if you detect this symptom because it’s a pretty strong indication of hearing loss.
- The continual need to turn the volume up: Are you always turning the volume up on your television? Well, there’s your first common sign. This is one of the more apparent ones, but it tends to develop so slowly that it’s frequently missed.
- Headaches and fatigue: Typically, 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. This can result in chronic headaches and fatigue.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You might frequently ask people to repeat themselves. Even if you feel as if people are speaking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the issue. If you start to encounter a great many individuals who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the issue.
Clearly, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everybody’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.
Why is a diagnosis useful?
So, you are recognizing that you are unable to hear as well as you once did. Why not simply go to the store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, would you go out and buy prescription glasses without having an eye exam? In most situations, it will be essential to have a strong understanding of the exact nature of your condition.
Everyone’s experience of hearing loss is distinct and complex. It’s not like someone just turns the volume knob in your ear. Actually, people tend to lose their hearing in specific frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear become damaged.
And it frequently goes unnoticed. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is very good at. That’s why a hearing exam is often needed. This screening process can help you discover hearing loss you might not even realize you have. This will also allow you to understand which frequencies you’re beginning to lose (and because of this, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
Seeing a hearing specialist has its benefits
When you go and buy a hearing aid at the store, you’ll be doing your best to match what’s available on the shelf with what you require.
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 select the best device for your symptoms and then customize that device specifically for the frequency you need help with.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can help you set up the necessary maintenance for your hearing aid, making sure that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you understand how to adjust your hearing aid successfully. So that you can get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is essential.
- When you have difficulty using or comprehending how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help walk you through the process and be sure you comprehend how to get the most out of your devices.
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 most likely be less than optimal.
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 much less likely to lose friends or become isolated from your family on account of your hearing loss symptoms. You’ll be able to keep those connections. And that can be exceptionally important.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient simply because you require some help with hearing aids. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be enhanced by using the right hearing aids.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, regulate your symptoms, and select the correct device for your needs.
So call us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.