Individuals are more self-reliant than ever. Want to remodel your kitchen? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? YouTube video. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? YouTube… look, you get the point.
Anything you want to know, 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?
Not always. Take, for instance, your hearing aids. Let’s envision that you develop a need for these handy little devices. Should you run 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 a few considerable drawbacks. In fact, visiting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
You might think that hearing loss symptoms are pretty self-evident. Things get harder to hear, right? While that might sometimes be the case, in other circumstances the symptoms can be less apparent. Certainly, individuals frequently miss the indications of hearing loss because they’re unsure about what to look for.
Here are a few of the most common hearing loss symptoms:
- Headaches and fatigue: Your brain frequently has to work overtime as it struggles to process sound. It’s like you’re continuously squinting with your ears as your brain works extra hard attempting to process sound. Fatigue and chronic headaches can be the result.
- Having to continually crank the volume up: Are you constantly turning the volume up on your television? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This one is often missed because it develops gradually over a long time period.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You’re often 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 sound like their “mumbling”.
- Problems hearing conversations in noisy settings: When you’re out at a nice restaurant with family and friends, you have a hard time following along with conversations. This is typically a fairly reliable indication that some amount of hearing loss could be happening.
Of course, these symptoms aren’t necessarily the only signs of hearing loss. Everybody’s experience will be slightly different. But you should definitely 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. 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 determining your prescription. In the majority of circumstances, it will be essential to have a detailed understanding of the precise nature of your condition.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex issue. It’s not like someone just turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia inside of your ear become 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 individuals don’t even notice it. The brain is very good at compensating for these things. That’s why a hearing exam is typically required. This screening process can help you expose hearing loss you might not even realize you have. This will also help you know which frequencies you’re beginning to lose (and as a result, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
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 by yourself if you go with over-the-counter hearing aids.
But when you visit a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your needs. We will help you choose the ideal device for your needs and we will tune it to boost the particular frequency that you’re having difficulty hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- The ability to help you individualize the general fit of your hearing aid, ensuring your devices are comfortable and work effectively.
- Your hearing specialist can help you plan the appropriate maintenance for your hearing aid, making sure that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you understand how to adjust your hearing aid successfully. So that you can get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is crucial.
- Your hearing specialist can help you understand how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having trouble understanding how to best utilize them.
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 most likely be less than optimal.
You will also be better capable of managing your hearing loss symptoms with the assistance of a hearing specialist. With the right strategy, you’ll be a lot less likely to lose friends or become isolated from your family on account of your hearing loss symptoms. Those relationships will be preserved. And that can be extremely important.
Not everything has to be DIY
Seeking help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are in some way less self-sufficient. Quite the opposite, actually. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be enhanced by using the right hearing aids.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and selecting the correct hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
So call us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.
