You’re not quite certain why, but you’ve been feeling cranky lately. Well, it was frustrating earlier today when you felt left out of the meeting at work. Your daughter got up and suddenly left the house after becoming annoyed when you kept asking her to turn the TV volume up. Why would she do that?
Did you ever stop to think that maybe you could be battling with hearing loss?
Hearing loss is a problem for about 40 million individuals in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And the issue goes beyond only your ears. Even slight hearing loss puts you at risk of depression, memory problems, and even cognitive decline, according to some research. You might have a manageable medical condition causing your hearing loss but you think it’s merely an indication of aging. Maybe, your co-workers didn’t leave you out of the conversation after all, maybe you missed crucial conversational queues because you couldn’t hear them. The truth is, if you can’t hear properly during your day-to-day life, it can become incredibly frustrating.
Get the facts about hearing loss
A good place to start is discovering more about what you’re dealing with. Hearing loss does happen to many people as a result of the aging process. But for others, it might be caused by years of noise overexposure. Noise-related hearing loss can be a result of lots of noise sources, like mowing the lawn and leaf blowing, listening to loud music, and driving in heavy traffic with the window down. The fragile mechanisms in your ear can be damaged by lots of noises in the world.
Long-term diseases that become more common as we age are a potential factor as well. When you have disorders that cause issues with your blood pressure, your inner ear can become damaged.
Recognize the signs
People generally don’t recognize when their hearing starts to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- You frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat themselves
- You regularly feel like you are being left out of the conversations
- Finding it difficult to hear words when there is background noise like a fan or the AC
Naturally, you’d be cranky if you’ve been coping with any of these symptoms! Feeling separated from your world can trigger depression and even social isolation.
Make a plan to treat hearing loss
Start by asking a family member or a loved one if they have noticed you struggling to keep up with conversations or if you say “What?” a little too often. It’s a crucial conversation even if it’s a challenging one. If if they answer ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing test should be your next step and will clarify things for you. Ask your loved one to accompany you to your appointment. A supportive, calming presence can be extremely helpful.
Your hearing test will both gauge whether you’re dealing with hearing loss and how extensive it has become. Depending on the results of your test, we will be able to decide on your best course of action moving forward. Normally, hearing aids will be a major part of the treatment plan. You’ll certainly be able to get a pair of hearing aids that will best fit your situation since there are so many styles and options to pick from.
How to select quality hearing aids
Everybody’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you discover what treatment will be best for yours. You will most likely need to evaluate a number of brands and models before you determine the best fit for your specific taste and hearing requirements. Hearing aids don’t just amplify sound these days. They can block out background noises, link to smartphones and computers, and even pinpoint the direction of a sound. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids include different features, so do some research to determine what features you require to better your life.
Think about the style you want for your hearing aids, as well. Some models have no color and are almost invisible and other models come in vibrant colors.
Schedule a hearing test with our qualified hearing specialists right away if you suspect you could be suffering with hearing loss. 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/