Individuals are becoming self-dependent more than ever before. Want to fix up your car? 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 great potential to teach and train yourself on the Internet. Does that mean you’ll never need a specialist ever again?
Well, not necessarily. Hearing aids are a practical example. 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? It sounds fairly effortless (and gives you the impression of self-sufficiency), but there are some substantial drawbacks. In reality, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and effective if you come in to get a consultation with us.
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
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 much more diverse, and much less obvious. In many instances, 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:
- Headaches and tiredness: Your brain often has to work overtime as it struggles to process sound. It’s having to work much harder to process information, it’s like squinting constantly, but with your ears. Fatigue and chronic headaches can be the outcome.
- Having to constantly crank up the volume: Are you consistently turning up the volume on your television? Well, there’s your first common symptom. This one is frequently missed because it develops gradually over a long time period.
- Needing people to repeat what they just said: You might frequently ask people to repeat themselves. This is an indication of hearing loss, even if it feels like the volume is the problem. You should consider whether it’s a problem with your ears if lots of people start to seem like their “mumbling”.
- Having a tough time hearing when it’s noisy: When you’re out at dinner with friends and family, you have a tough time following along with conversations. This is normally a fairly dependable indication that some degree of hearing loss might be happening.
Of course, these symptoms aren’t always the only symptoms of hearing loss. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is unique. But you should certainly come see us for a consultation if you are detecting any of these symptoms.
Can a diagnosis be useful?
So, you are recognizing 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, would you go out and purchase prescription glasses without having an eye exam? It may work in some cases. But knowing more about your condition is definitely essential.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex issue. It’s not as if the volume in your ear is merely turned down. Instead, as stereocilia inside of 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 it often goes undetected. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is very good at. That’s why a hearing exam is often necessary. This screening process can help you uncover hearing loss you might not even realize you have. You’ll also have the opportunity to properly diagnose which frequencies tend to be fading the quickest (and be better able to manage your symptoms because of this.)
Seeing a hearing specialist has its benefits
Matching your hearing needs to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll need 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 requirements. Your hearing specialist can help you choose the best device for your symptoms and then tailor that device specifically for the frequency you need help with.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- The ability to help you customize the general fit of your hearing aid, ensuring your devices are comfortable and effectively working.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you understand how to adjust your hearing aid effectively. In order to get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is essential.
- Your hearing specialist will help you comprehend how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having difficulty understanding how to best use 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 pick the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the benefit 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 help of a hearing specialist. Feeling isolated from friends and family because of hearing loss will be a lot less likely if you take the right approach. You’ll be able to keep those connections. And that can be incredibly important.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient simply because you need some assistance with hearing aids. Quite the opposite, actually. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be increased by using the right hearing aids.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, control your symptoms, and select the correct device for your requirements.
In other words, if you suspect you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!