People are more self-dependent than ever. Does your car require some repairs? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? YouTube video. Trying to learn cursive writing? Yup…you guessed it…..YouTube.
Anything you want to know, you can find, and there’s amazing potential to teach and educate yourself on the Internet. Does that mean you’ll never require a specialist ever again?
Not always. Take, for example, your hearing aids. Let’s picture that you develop a need for these beneficial little devices. Does that mean you should just drive up to the local pharmacy and grab a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are a few real downsides. Actually, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and effective if you come in to get a consultation with us.
Hearing loss signs
You might think that hearing loss symptoms are pretty self-evident. You can’t hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the presentations of hearing loss can be a lot more variable, and much less apparent. Certainly, people frequently miss the symptoms of hearing loss because they’re unsure about what to look for.
Here are some of the most prevalent hearing loss symptoms:
- The persistent need to crank the volume up: Are you always turning up the volume on your television? Well, there’s your first common symptom. This is one of the more obvious ones, but it tends to develop so slowly that it’s often missed.
- Headaches and tiredness: Your brain frequently has to work extra hard as it struggles to process sound. It’s like you’re continuously squinting with your ears as your brain works overtime attempting to process sound. Tiredness and chronic headaches can be the result.
- Having a tough time hearing when it’s loud: Do you have a tough time keeping up with conversations when you go out to dinner with friends or family? This is typically a rather dependable sign that some degree of hearing loss may be happening.
- Needing people to repeat what they just said: You might frequently ask people to repeat themselves. Even if you feel like people are talking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the issue. If you begin to come across a great many individuals who “mumble,” it may be your ears that are the issue.
Clearly, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is unique. But you should definitely come see us for a consultation if you are noticing any of these symptoms.
Can a diagnosis be useful?
So, you have the symptoms of hearing loss. Why not just go to the store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be kind of like purchasing some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. It might work sometimes. But knowing more about your condition is absolutely essential.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex condition. It’s not as though somebody 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 most people don’t even detect it. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is quite good at. Because of this, it’s usually necessary to get a hearing exam. You might not even recognize you have hearing loss but a hearing assessment can expose any you might have. You’ll also have the opportunity to accurately diagnose which frequencies are fading the fastest (and as a result, you will be in a better position to control 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 go with over-the-counter hearing aids.
But your hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your particular hearing needs if you consult with a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist can help you select the best device for your symptoms and then tailor that device specifically for the wavelengths you need help with.
Here are a few other advantages to seeing a hearing specialist:
- Programing your hearing aid more successfully is also something your hearing specialist can also assist you with. So that you can get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is essential.
- 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 make sure you understand how to get the most out of your devices.
- The ability to help you personalize the general fit of your hearing aid, making sure your devices are comfortable and effectively working.
- 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.
Without the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will likely be less ideal, even if you do happen to select the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.
Additionally, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. Feeling isolated from family and friends due to hearing loss will be a great deal less likely if you take the right approach. You’ll be able to keep those relationships. And that can be extremely important.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient simply because you require some assistance with hearing aids. In fact, it’s just the opposite. The right hearing aid can improve your independence and self-sufficiency.
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 think you have hearing loss, it’s time to contact us!