People are becoming self-reliant more than ever before. Does your car require some repairs? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? YouTube video. Attempting to learn cursive writing? YouTube… look, you get the idea.
Anything you want to know, you can find, and there’s great potential to teach and educate yourself on the Internet. So the real question is, are we done needing professionals?
Well, not exactly. Take, for example, your hearing aids. Let’s envision that you develop a need for these handy little devices. Should you race out to Walmart and get a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel like you’re being self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are some real disadvantages. 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 a lot more variable, and much less evident. In many cases, we don’t know what to look for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Trouble hearing conversations in loud places: Do you have a hard time keeping up with conversations when you go out to dinner with friends or family? This is usually a fairly dependable indication that some degree of hearing loss could be occurring.
- The persistent need to turn the volume up: Are you consistently turning up the volume on your television? Well, there’s your first common sign. This one is frequently missed because it progresses slowly over a long time period.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You’re frequently needing people to repeat what they said. This is an indication of hearing loss, even if it feels like the volume is the issue. If you begin to come across a great number of people who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the problem.
- Headaches and exhaustion: Often, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It’s like you’re continuously squinting with your ears as your brain works overtime attempting to process sound. This can lead to chronic headaches and exhaustion.
Clearly, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everybody’s experience will be somewhat different. But you should absolutely come see us for an assessment if you are noticing any of these symptoms.
Why is a diagnosis useful?
So, you have the symptoms of hearing loss. Maybe you should go out to your local box-store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, would you go out and purchase prescription glasses without getting an eye exam? It may work sometimes. But understanding more about your condition is definitely indispensable.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex issue. It’s not as if the volume in your ear is merely turned down. Actually, people tend to lose their hearing in particular frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear become damaged.
And most people don’t even notice it. The brain is really good at compensating for these things. That’s why a hearing test is typically essential. You may not even recognize 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 are fading the quickest (and be better capable of managing your symptoms because of this.)
Benefits of working with a hearing specialist
Matching your hearing needs to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll have to do by yourself if you go with over-the-counter hearing aids.
But when you go see a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your needs. We will help you pick the ideal device for your needs and we will calibrate it to boost the particular frequency that you’re having trouble hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following benefits:
- When you have trouble using or understanding how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help take you step-by-step through the process and be sure you comprehend how to get the most out of your devices.
- Your hearing specialist can help you set up the necessary maintenance for your hearing aid, making sure that your devices last for as long as possible.
- The ability to help you personalize the general fit of your hearing aid, making sure your devices are comfortable and work properly.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you figure out how to program your hearing aid successfully. This is crucial to a quality experience with your devices.
Even if you get lucky enough to pick the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing experience will most likely be less than ideal.
You will also be better capable of managing your hearing loss symptoms with the assistance of a hearing specialist. With the correct approach, you’ll be much less likely to lose touch with friends or become isolated from your family on account of your hearing loss symptoms. Those connections will be preserved. And that can be exceedingly important.
Not everything has to be DIY
Seeking help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are somehow less self-sufficient. Quite the opposite, actually. The correct hearing aid can improve your independence and self-sufficiency.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and picking out the right hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
In other words, if you suspect you have hearing loss, it’s time to contact us!