Individuals are becoming self-reliant more than they ever did. Does your car need some repairs? Simply watch that YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? 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 educate yourself on the Internet. So the real question is, are we done needing professionals?
Not always. Hearing aids are a good example. Let’s imagine that you develop a need for these beneficial little devices. Should you race out to Walmart and get a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are some real downsides. As a matter of 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 fairly self-evident. You are unable to hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the symptoms of hearing loss can be much more diverse, and far less apparent. In many instances, we are unaware of 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 to continually turn the volume up: Is your television volume constantly going up? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This one is often missed because it progresses gradually over a long time period.
- 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. Fatigue and chronic headaches can be the outcome.
- Problems hearing conversations in loud places: Do you have a hard time following discussions when you go out to eat with family or friends? You should certainly pay attention if you detect this symptom because it’s a rather strong sign of hearing loss.
- Needing people to repeat what they just said: You may frequently ask people to repeat themselves. This is a sign of hearing loss, even if it seems like the volume is the problem. If you begin to come across a great many people who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the issue.
Clearly, 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.
Can a diagnosis be useful?
So, you have the symptoms of hearing loss. Perhaps you should go out to your local box-store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, that would be sort of like purchasing some corrective glasses without knowing your prescription. In the majority of cases, it will be crucial to have a detailed understanding of the precise nature of your condition.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex condition. It’s not like 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 it often goes undetected. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is very good at. That’s why a hearing test is often essential. You may not even recognize you have hearing loss but a hearing test can expose any you might have. This will also help you know which frequencies you’re beginning to lose (and because of this, you will be in a better position to manage symptoms.)
Benefits of working with a hearing specialist
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 customized to your needs. We will help you choose the ideal device for your needs and we will calibrate it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having difficulty hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following benefits:
- Your hearing specialist can help you plan the necessary maintenance for your hearing aid, ensuring that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you understand how to adjust your hearing aid properly. This is critical to a good experience with your devices.
- Confidence, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can help you comprehend how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having trouble understanding how to best use them.
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.
Additionally, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. Feeling isolated from friends and family because of hearing loss will be much 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. As a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be increased by using the correct hearing aids.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and picking out the correct hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
So contact us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.