People are becoming self-reliant more than they ever did. Want to remodel your kitchen? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? Again with the YouTube. 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 train yourself on the Internet. Does that mean you’ll never require a specialist ever again?
Well, not exactly. Hearing aids are a good example. Let’s imagine that you develop a need for these handy little devices. Does that mean you should just drive up to the local pharmacy and get a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this may make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are a few real disadvantages. In fact, visiting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
Hearing loss signs
The symptoms of hearing loss might seem clear-cut, even obvious. Things become more difficult to hear, right? Well, yes, but the symptoms of hearing loss can be much more variable, and much less apparent. In many cases, we don’t know what to watch out for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Having a hard time hearing when it’s loud: Do you have a tough time following discussions when you go out to eat with friends or family? This is usually a fairly reliable sign that some degree of hearing loss could be happening.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You’re frequently needing people to repeat what they said. Even if it seems like people are speaking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the issue. You should consider whether it’s a problem with your ears if lots of individuals start to seem like their “mumbling”.
- Tiredness and headaches: Typically, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It needs to work much harder to process information, it’s like squinting all the time, but with your ears. This can result in chronic headaches and exhaustion.
- Having to continually turn up the volume: Is the volume on your television continuously going up? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This is one of the more evident ones, but it tends to progress so gradually that it’s often missed.
Needless to say, these symptoms are not always the only signs of hearing loss. Everyone’s hearing loss experience is distinctive. But you should certainly come see us for an assessment if you are detecting any of these symptoms.
Can a diagnosis be useful?
So, you are recognizing that you are unable to hear as well as you once did. Maybe you should run out to your local box-store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, would you go out and purchase prescription glasses without having an eye exam? In the majority of situations, it will be essential to have a strong understanding of the precise nature of your condition.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex condition. It’s not like someone just turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia inside of your ear get damaged, you tend to 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 people don’t even notice it. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is extremely good at. Because of this, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing exam. You might not even know you have hearing loss but a hearing test can uncover any you might have. You’ll also have the chance to accurately diagnose which frequencies tend to be fading the fastest (and be better capable of managing your symptoms as a result.)
Advantages of working with a hearing specialist
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 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 frequency you need help with.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- Your hearing specialist can help you set up the appropriate maintenance for your hearing aid, making sure that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Adjusting your hearing aid more successfully is also something your hearing specialist can also assist you with. This is crucial to a quality experience with your devices.
- The ability to help you personalize the overall fit of your hearing aid, making sure your devices are comfortable and effectively working.
- When you have trouble 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 advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will likely be less optimal, 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. Feeling isolated from family and friends because of hearing loss will be a great deal less likely if you take the right approach. Those relationships will be preserved. And for the majority of individuals, that’s one of the most significant parts of life.
Everything doesn’t always have to be DIY
Seeking help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are somehow less self-sufficient. Quite the opposite, actually. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be enhanced by using the right hearing aids.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, manage your symptoms, and pick out the correct device for your requirements.
In other words, if you think you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!
