Individuals are becoming self-dependent more than they ever did. Does your car require 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 point.
You can discover any information you may want to know and self-learning has never been more accessible. So the real question is, are we done needing professionals?
Well, not exactly. Hearing aids are a good example. Imagine if you detect some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these helpful little devices. Does that mean you should just drive up to the local pharmacy and grab a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? It sounds nice and easy (and gives you the impression of self-sufficiency), but there are some considerable drawbacks. As a matter of fact, visiting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
The symptoms of hearing loss might seem straightforward, even obvious. Things get harder to hear, right? While that may sometimes be the case, in other circumstances the symptoms can be less apparent. In many cases, we are unaware of what to look for and we miss the symptoms of hearing loss.
Some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Tiredness and headaches: 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 all the time, but with your ears. Exhaustion and chronic headaches can be the outcome.
- Having a tough time hearing when it’s noisy: When you’re out at a nice restaurant with friends and family, you have a difficult time following along with conversations. You should certainly pay attention if you detect this symptom because it’s a fairly powerful sign of hearing loss.
- Having to continually crank the volume up: Is the volume on your television continuously going up? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This is one of the more apparent ones, but it tends to develop so slowly that it’s often missed.
- Requesting that people repeat themselves: You’re frequently needing people to repeat what they said. Even if you feel as if people are speaking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the problem. If you start to come across a great number of people who “mumble,” it may be your ears that are the problem.
Clearly, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is distinctive. But if you are noticing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit us to get a diagnosis.
Can a diagnosis be useful?
So, you are realizing that you can’t hear as well as you once did. Perhaps you should run out to your local box-store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, that would be sort of like buying some corrective glasses without knowing your prescription. In most cases, it will be essential to have a strong understanding of the exact nature of your condition.
Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is unique and complex. It’s not like the volume in your ear is merely turned down. Instead, as stereocilia in your ear get damaged, you usually lose your hearing in parts at a time, that is, you usually lose the ability to hear high-frequency or low-frequency sounds first.
And it frequently goes unnoticed. The brain is quite good at compensating for these things. That’s why a hearing exam is often required. This screening process can help you expose hearing loss you might not even realize you have. This will also allow you to understand which frequencies you’re starting to lose (and because of this, you will be in a better position to manage symptoms.)
Benefits of going to a hearing specialist
Matching your hearing requirements to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll have to do on your own if you decide on over-the-counter hearing aids.
But when you go see a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be customized to your needs. We will help you select the ideal device for your needs and we will calibrate it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having difficulty hearing.
Here are some other advantages to seeing a hearing specialist:
- The ability to help you personalize the general fit of your hearing aid, ensuring your devices are comfortable and effectively working.
- Your hearing specialist can ensure that your hearing aids last as long as possible by helping you comprehend and plan proper upkeep and maintenance.
- Your hearing specialist can help you comprehend how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having difficulty understanding how to best use them.
- Programing your hearing aid more successfully is also something your hearing specialist can also help you with. In order to get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is crucial.
Even if you get lucky enough to pick the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing experience will probably 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 correct approach, you’ll be a lot less likely to lose touch with friends or become distant with family because of your hearing loss symptoms. You’ll be able to maintain those relationships. And for the majority of individuals, that’s one of the most significant parts of life.
Everything doesn’t always have to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient simply because you need some help with hearing aids. Quite the opposite, actually. The correct hearing aid can improve your independence and self-sufficiency.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, manage your symptoms, and pick out the right device for your requirements.
In other words, if you think you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!
