People are more self-reliant than ever. Does your car need some repairs? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? Again with the YouTube. Trying 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 a specialist ever again?
Well, not exactly. Take, for example, your hearing aids. Imagine if you notice some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these practical little devices. Does that mean you should just drive up to the local pharmacy and grab a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? It sounds fairly effortless (and gives you the impression of self-sufficiency), but there are some significant drawbacks. In fact, consulting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more effective and more comfortable.
Hearing loss signs
The symptoms of hearing loss may 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. Indeed, individuals often miss the indications of hearing loss because they don’t know what to watch out for.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Problems hearing conversations in noisy settings: When you’re out at dinner with family and friends, you have a difficult time following along with conversations. You should certainly pay attention if you detect this symptom because it’s a rather strong sign of hearing loss.
- The constant need to turn the volume up: Are you consistently turning the volume up on your television? Well, there’s your first common sign. This is one of the more evident ones, but it tends to progress so slowly that it’s frequently missed.
- Needing people to repeat what they just said: You may often ask people to repeat themselves. This is an indication of hearing loss, even if it seems like the volume is the issue. If you start to come across a great many people who “mumble,” it may be your ears that are the issue.
- Fatigue and headaches: Typically, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It’s having to work extra hard to process information, it’s like squinting all the time, but with your ears. Tiredness and chronic headaches can be the outcome.
Needless to say, these symptoms aren’t necessarily the only signs of hearing loss. Everyone’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.
Why is a diagnosis helpful?
So, you are realizing that you are unable to hear as well as you used to. Perhaps you should go out to your local box-store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, would you go out and buy prescription glasses without getting an eye exam? It may work in some cases. But knowing more about your condition is absolutely essential.
Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is unique and complex. It’s not as though somebody just turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia in your ear become 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 often goes unnoticed. The brain is really good at compensating for these things. That’s why a hearing exam is typically essential. This screening process can help you uncover hearing loss you may not even recognize you have. This will also help you 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 specific 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 wavelengths you need help with.
Here are a few other advantages to seeing a hearing specialist:
- Confidence, that your device will be comfortable by getting a professional fitting.
- 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 also help you figure out how to adjust your hearing aid properly. This is crucial to a quality experience with your devices.
- When you have problems using or comprehending how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help take you step-by-step through the process and make sure you comprehend how to get the most out of your devices.
Without the benefit of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will likely be less ideal, even if you do happen to pick the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.
You will also be better capable of managing your hearing loss symptoms with the help of a hearing specialist. With the right approach, 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 preserved. 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. As a matter of fact, it’s actually the opposite. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be enhanced by using the correct hearing aids.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, regulate your symptoms, and pick out the correct device for your needs.
So call us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.