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. Is your sink clogged? YouTube video. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? Yup…you guessed it…..YouTube.
You can discover any information you may want to learn and self-learning has never been more accessible. So the real question is, are we done needing professionals?
Well, not exactly. Hearing aids are a good example. Imagine if you detect some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these practical little devices. Does that mean you should just go out to the local pharmacy and get a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this may make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are some real downsides. In reality, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and effective if you come in to get a consultation with us.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
The symptoms of hearing loss may appear to be straightforward, even obvious. Things get harder to hear, right? While that might sometimes be the case, in other situations the symptoms can be less obvious. Indeed, individuals often miss the symptoms of hearing loss because they don’t know what to watch out for.
Some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Headaches and tiredness: Your brain frequently has to work extra hard as it struggles to process sound. It’s like you’re constantly squinting with your ears as your brain works overtime attempting to process sound. This can trigger chronic headaches and tiredness.
- The constant need to crank the volume up: Is the volume on your television continuously going up? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This is one of the more apparent ones, but it tends to progress so slowly that it’s usually missed.
- Having a difficult time hearing when it’s noisy: When you’re out at a nice restaurant with friends and family, you have a difficult time following along with conversations. This is normally a pretty dependable sign that some amount of hearing loss may be happening.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You might often 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 an issue with your ears if lots of individuals start to seem like their “mumbling”.
Obviously, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is unique. 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 useful?
So, you have hearing loss symptoms. Why not just go to the store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be kind of like buying some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. In most circumstances, it will be essential to have a strong understanding of the precise nature of your condition.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex issue. It’s not as if the volume in your ear is simply turned down. Instead, as stereocilia inside of your ear get damaged, you often 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. The brain is very good at compensating for these things. That’s why a hearing exam is often essential. This screening process can help you uncover hearing loss you might not even realize you have. You’ll also have the opportunity to accurately diagnose which frequencies tend to be fading the quickest (and be better capable of managing your symptoms as a result.)
Visiting a hearing specialist has its benefits
When you go and buy a hearing aid off the shelf, you’ll be doing your best to match what’s available on the shelf with what you require.
But when you visit a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your needs. Your hearing specialist can help you choose the best device for your symptoms and then customize that device specifically for the frequency you need assistance with.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following benefits:
- Your hearing specialist will help you understand how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having difficulty understanding how to best utilize them.
- Confidence, that your device will be comfortable by getting a professional fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you understand how to program your hearing aid properly. This is critical to a good experience with your devices.
- 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.
Without the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will most likely be less optimal, even if you do happen to select the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.
In addition, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. Feeling isolated from family and friends due to hearing loss will be a lot less likely if you take the correct approach. You’ll be able to maintain those relationships. And that can be exceptionally important.
Not everything has to be DIY
Getting help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are in some way 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 choosing the right hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
In other words, if you think you have hearing loss, it’s time to call us!