Individuals are becoming self-reliant more than they ever did. Does your car require some repairs? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? YouTube video. Attempting to learn cursive writing? YouTube… look, you get the idea.
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 specialists?
Not always. Hearing aids are a practical example. Let’s envision that you develop a need for these handy little devices. Should you race 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 some considerable drawbacks. As a matter of fact, consulting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more effective and more comfortable.
Hearing loss signs
The symptoms of hearing loss might appear to be straightforward, even obvious. Things become more difficult to hear, right? Well, yes, but the symptoms of hearing loss can be much more diverse, and far less apparent. In many situations, we don’t know what to watch out for and we miss the symptoms of hearing loss.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Having to continually crank up the volume: Is your television volume constantly going up? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This one is frequently missed because it develops gradually over a long time period.
- Trouble hearing conversations in noisy settings: When you’re out at a nice restaurant with family and friends, you have a tough time following along with conversations. You should definitely pay attention if you observe this symptom because it’s a pretty powerful sign of hearing loss.
- Requesting that people repeat themselves: You might frequently ask people to repeat themselves. This is an indication of hearing loss, even if it feels like the volume is the problem. If you begin to encounter a great many individuals who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the issue.
- Headaches and fatigue: Often, when you have hearing loss, your brain fights to keep up. It’s like you’re continuously squinting with your ears as your brain works overtime attempting to process sound. This can result in chronic headaches and exhaustion.
Needless to say, these symptoms are not always the only symptoms of hearing loss. Everyone’s experience will be somewhat different. But you should definitely come see us for an assessment if you are detecting any of these symptoms.
Why is a diagnosis helpful?
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 might work in some cases. But knowing more about your condition is absolutely indispensable.
Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is distinct and complex. It’s not like someone simply turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia in your ear become damaged, you tend to lose your hearing in parts at a time, that is, you usually lose the ability to hear high-frequency or low-frequency sounds first.
And most people don’t even detect it. The brain is really good at compensating for these things. For this reason, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing assessment. This screening process can help you discover hearing loss you may not even know you have. This will also help you understand which frequencies you’re starting to lose (and be better capable of managing your symptoms as a result.)
Advantages of going to a hearing specialist
Matching your hearing needs to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll need to do by yourself if you decide on over-the-counter hearing aids.
But when you visit a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your requirements. We will help you select the ideal device for your needs and we will tune it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having trouble hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- When you have problems using or comprehending how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help take you step-by-step through the process and be certain that you understand how to get the most out of your devices.
- Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a professional fitting.
- Adjusting your hearing aid more effectively is also something your hearing specialist can also assist you with. This is crucial to a quality experience with your devices.
- Your hearing specialist can make sure that your hearing aids last as long as possible by helping you comprehend and plan correct upkeep and maintenance.
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 probably be less than optimal.
You will also be better able to manage your hearing loss symptoms with the help of a hearing specialist. With the correct strategy, you’ll be much less likely to lose touch with friends or become isolated from your family on account of your hearing loss symptoms. You’ll be able to keep those relationships. And that can be extremely important.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient simply because you require some assistance with hearing aids. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be improved by using the correct hearing aids.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, managing your symptoms, and picking out 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.