Individuals are more self-reliant than ever. Want to fix up your car? Just watch that YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? YouTube video. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? YouTube… look, you get the idea.
Anything you want to learn, you can find, and there’s great potential to teach and train yourself on the Internet. Does that mean you’ll never require a specialist ever again?
Well, not exactly. Hearing aids are a good example. Imagine if you detect some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these helpful little devices. Does that mean you should just go out to the local pharmacy and pick up a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? It sounds nice and easy (and gives you the illusion of self-sufficiency), but there are a few significant 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 clear-cut, even obvious. Things become more difficult to hear, right? Well, yes, but the symptoms of hearing loss can be much more diverse, and much less apparent. In many cases, we are unaware of what to look for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Having a difficult time hearing when it’s loud: Do you have a tough time keeping up with conversations when you go out to eat with friends or family? You should certainly pay attention if you detect this symptom because it’s a pretty powerful indication of hearing loss.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You’re often needing people to repeat what they said. This is an indication of hearing loss, even if it seems like the volume is the problem. If you begin to encounter a great number of people who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the problem.
- Tiredness and headaches: Typically, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It’s like you’re constantly squinting with your ears as your brain works extra hard attempting to process sound. Fatigue and chronic headaches can be the outcome.
- Having to continually crank up the volume: Are you always turning up the volume on your television? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This is one of the more obvious ones, but it tends to progress so slowly that it’s often missed.
Clearly, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everyone’s experience will be a bit different. 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 hearing loss symptoms. Why not just go to the store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, would you go out and buy prescription glasses without getting an eye exam? It may work sometimes. But understanding more about your condition is definitely indispensable.
Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is unique and complex. It’s not like the volume in your ear is simply turned down. Actually, people tend to lose their hearing in particular frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear get damaged.
And it often goes unnoticed. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is very good at. Because of this, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing exam. This screening process can help you expose hearing loss you may not even know you have. You’ll also have the chance to accurately diagnose which frequencies tend to be fading the fastest (and because of this, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
Seeing a hearing specialist has its advantages
Matching your hearing requirements to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll need to do on your own if you go with over-the-counter hearing aids.
But your hearing aids can be calibrated to your specific hearing needs if you consult with a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist can help you pick the best device for your symptoms and then tailor that device specifically for the wavelengths you need assistance with.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- Your hearing specialist can also help you figure out how to adjust your hearing aid successfully. This is crucial to a good experience with your devices.
- Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can make sure that your hearing aids last as long as possible by helping you comprehend and plan proper upkeep and maintenance.
- When you have trouble using or comprehending how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help take you step-by-step through the process and make sure you understand how to get the most out of your devices.
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 assistance of a hearing specialist. With the correct strategy, you’ll be much less likely to lose friends or become distant with family on account of your hearing loss symptoms. Those connections will be maintained. And for most individuals, that’s one of the most significant parts of life.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient simply because you need some assistance with hearing aids. Quite the opposite, actually. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be improved by using the correct hearing aids.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, control your symptoms, and select the right device for your needs.
In other words, if you think you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!