You know you’re feeling cranky these days but you’re not exactly sure why. Well, you did feel excluded earlier today when no one bothered to bring you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was irritating. Your daughter got up and suddenly left the house after becoming annoyed when you kept asking her to turn the volume on the TV up. What’s the deal with that?
Maybe the real problem is hearing loss!
Hearing loss is an issue for around 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And the problem goes beyond just your ears. Research shows that even mild hearing loss puts you at risk for memory problems, cognitive decline, and even depression. What you may think is just a sign of age, could actually be a treatable medical problem. Perhaps, you missed significant conversational cues and your coworkers didn’t actually exclude you from the meeting after all. Honestly, it can be exceedingly frustrating when you can’t hear during your daily life.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Learning a little more about what you’re struggling with is a useful place to start. For many people, hearing loss is a normal side effect of growing older. But years of exposure to overly loud noise can also be the cause for others. Noise-induced hearing loss can be a result of many noise sources, such as mowing the lawn and leaf blowing, listening to loud music, and driving in heavy traffic with the window down. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging sound that can erode the delicate mechanisms that help you hear.
Another possible cause of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more common with age. High blood pressure, for instance, or diabetes can both interfere with blood flow, which causes damage to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People usually don’t detect when their hearing starts to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- You’re always asking people to repeat themselves or even worse, saying ‘what’ a lot
- When individuals are conversing, you always feel excluded
- When there’s background noise, like an AC or fan running, you have a hard time hearing words
If you recognize any of these hearing loss signs, it’s no wonder you’re grumpy! Depression and social isolation can be the result of feeling separated from your world.
Make a plan to treat hearing loss
Start by asking a family member or a loved one if they have seen you working hard to hear conversations or if you say “What?” a little too frequently. It’s a crucial conversation even if it’s a challenging one. If if they answer ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing exam should be your next step and will clarify things for you. Try to get a loved one to accompany you to your exam. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive friend with you.
Your hearing test will both gauge whether you’re dealing with hearing loss and how significant it has become. Depending on the results of your test, we will be able to decide on your best plan moving forward. Normally, hearing aids will be a major part of the treatment plan. Don’t worry, there are so many choices and features that you’re certain to get hearing aids that fit your lifestyle!
How to select quality hearing aids
Everybody’s hearing loss is different and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. You will probably need to test several brands and models before you determine the best fit for your particular taste and hearing needs. Hearing aids don’t just amplify sound these days. They can pinpoint the direction that sound is coming from, block out background sound, and even link to smartphones and computers. Do some research to find out which brands and models have the features that will best fit your lifestyle and requirements.
Think about the style you want for your hearing aids, as well. Some models have no color and are nearly invisible and other models come in dazzling colors.
If you think you’re suffering from hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists right away. Don’t you think it’s time to take action and end your cranky state of mind?
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/