People are becoming self-dependent more than ever before. Does your car require some repairs? Just watch that YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? YouTube video. Attempting to learn cursive writing? YouTube… look, you get the idea.
Anything you want to learn, you can find, and there’s excellent potential to teach and train yourself on the Internet. So the real question is, are we finished needing experts?
Well, not exactly. Hearing aids are a good example. Imagine if you detect some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these practical little devices. Should you run out to Walmart and get a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? It sounds fairly effortless (and gives you the impression of self-sufficiency), but there are some substantial drawbacks. In fact, visiting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
The symptoms of hearing loss may appear to be straightforward, even obvious. You can’t hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the symptoms of hearing loss can be much more diverse, and far less obvious. Certainly, people frequently miss the signs of hearing loss because they’re unsure about what to watch out for.
Some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Having to constantly crank the volume up: Are you constantly turning up the volume on your television? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This one is often missed because it develops slowly over a long time period.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You may often ask people to repeat themselves. Even if it seems like people are speaking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the problem. You should consider whether it’s an issue with your ears if lots of people start to seem like their “mumbling”.
- Having a tough time hearing when it’s loud: Do you have a hard time following conversations when you go out to eat with friends or family? This is normally a pretty reliable indication that some degree of hearing loss may be occurring.
- Fatigue and headaches: Often, when you have hearing loss, your brain fights to keep up. It needs to work much harder to process information, it’s like squinting all the time, but with your ears. Fatigue and chronic headaches can be the outcome.
Obviously, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. 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.
Can a diagnosis be useful?
So, you are recognizing that you can’t hear as well as you used to. Why not just go to the store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be kind of like buying some corrective glasses without knowing your prescription. In the majority of circumstances, it will be crucial to have a strong understanding of the precise nature of your condition.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex problem. It’s not as if 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 normally lose the ability to hear high-frequency or low-frequency sounds first.
And most individuals don’t even notice it. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is really good at. For this reason, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing examination. This screening process can help you discover hearing loss you may not even realize you have. You’ll also have the chance to accurately diagnose which frequencies tend to be fading the fastest (and as a result, you will be in a better position to manage symptoms.)
Advantages of working with a hearing specialist
When you go and buy a hearing aid at the store, you’ll be doing the best you can to match what’s available on the shelf with what you need.
But when you visit a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be customized to your needs. We will help you choose the ideal device for your requirements and we will calibrate it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having trouble hearing.
Here are some other benefits to seeing a hearing specialist:
- Your hearing specialist can also help you understand how to program your hearing aid successfully. This is critical to a quality experience with your devices.
- Confidence, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Your hearing specialist will help you understand how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having trouble understanding how to best utilize them.
- 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.
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 manage your hearing loss symptoms. With the correct strategy, you’ll be a lot less likely to lose touch with friends or become isolated from your family because of your hearing loss symptoms. Those connections will be maintained. And for most people, that’s one of the most important parts of life.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
Seeking help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are in some way less self-sufficient. In 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, manage your symptoms, and pick out the right device for your needs.
So contact us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.