Individuals are becoming self-reliant more than ever before. 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. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? YouTube… look, you get the idea.
Anything you want to learn, you can find, and there’s amazing potential to teach and educate yourself on the Internet. Does that mean you’ll never require a specialist ever again?
Not always. Hearing aids are a good example. Let’s imagine that you develop a need for these useful little devices. Should you run out to Walmart and get a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the easy solution, there are some real disadvantages. Actually, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and effective if you come in to get a consultation with us.
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
You may think that hearing loss symptoms are pretty self-evident. You can’t hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the presentations of hearing loss can be much more variable, and much less evident. In many cases, we are unaware of what to watch out for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Here are some of the most common hearing loss symptoms:
- Headaches and fatigue: Your brain often has to work extra hard as it struggles to process sound. It needs to work much harder to process information, it’s like squinting all the time, but with your ears. This can lead to chronic headaches and tiredness.
- Needing people to repeat what they just said: You may often ask people to repeat themselves. Even if you feel as if people are speaking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the issue. You should consider whether it’s a problem with your ears if lots of people start to seem like their “mumbling”.
- The persistent need to crank the volume up: Is your television volume continuously going up? Well, there’s your first common sign. This one is frequently missed because it progresses slowly over a long time period.
- Having a hard time hearing when it’s noisy: When you’re out at a nice restaurant with friends and family, you have a tough time following along with discussions. You should certainly pay attention if you observe this symptom because it’s a fairly powerful indication of hearing loss.
Naturally, these symptoms are not always the only symptoms of hearing loss. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is distinctive. 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 helpful?
So, you are recognizing that you can’t hear as well as you used to. Maybe you should go out to your local box-store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, that would be sort of like purchasing some corrective glasses without knowing your prescription. It may work in some cases. But understanding more about your condition is definitely indispensable.
Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is distinct and complex. It’s not as if the volume in your ear is simply turned down. Instead, as stereocilia inside of your ear get 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 notice it. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is extremely good at. For this reason, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing assessment. You might not even recognize you have hearing loss but a hearing assessment can uncover any you may have. You’ll also have the opportunity to accurately diagnose which frequencies are fading the fastest (and because of this, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
Advantages of working with a hearing specialist
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 particular hearing needs if you go to a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist can help you choose the best device for your symptoms and then tailor that device specifically for the wavelengths you need help with.
Here are some other advantages to seeing a hearing specialist:
- Programing your hearing aid more successfully is also something your hearing specialist can also assist you with. This is critical to a good experience with your devices.
- Your hearing specialist will help you understand how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having trouble understanding how to best utilize them.
- The ability to help you customize the general fit of your hearing aid, making sure your devices are comfortable and effectively working.
- Your hearing specialist can help you plan the necessary maintenance for your hearing aid, making sure that your devices last for as long as possible.
Without the benefit 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.
Also, hearing specialists will be able to help you manage your hearing loss symptoms. Feeling isolated from family and friends because of hearing loss will be a great deal less likely if you take the correct approach. You’ll be able to maintain those connections. And that can be exceedingly important.
Everything doesn’t always have to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient just because you require some assistance with hearing aids. As a matter of fact, it’s actually the opposite. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be improved by using the right hearing aids.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and picking out 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 contact us!