People are becoming self-reliant more than they ever did. Want to fix up your car? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? Again with the YouTube. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? YouTube… look, you get the point.
You can find any information you may want to know and self-learning has never been more accessible. Does that mean you’ll never need a specialist ever again?
Well, not necessarily. Hearing aids are a practical 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 grab a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are a few real disadvantages. In reality, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and effective if you come in to get a consultation with us.
Hearing loss signs
You might think that hearing loss symptoms are fairly self-evident. You can’t hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the presentations of hearing loss can be much more diverse, and far less evident. Indeed, people often miss the indications of hearing loss because they’re unsure about what to watch out for.
Here are some of the most common hearing loss symptoms:
- Asking people to repeat themselves: You may often ask people to repeat themselves. Even if it seems like people are talking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the problem. If you start to encounter a great number of individuals who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the problem.
- Having to continually crank the volume up: Is your television volume continuously going up? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This is one of the more obvious ones, but it tends to progress so gradually that it’s frequently missed.
- Difficulty hearing conversations in loud settings: When you’re out at dinner with friends and family, you have a hard time following along with conversations. This is normally a fairly dependable sign that some degree of hearing loss may be happening.
- Headaches and tiredness: Your brain frequently has to work overtime as it struggles to process sound. It’s like you’re continuously squinting with your ears as your brain works overtime attempting to process sound. This can lead to chronic headaches and tiredness.
Needless to say, these symptoms aren’t always the only signs of hearing loss. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is unique. But you should definitely come see us for a consultation if you are noticing any of these symptoms.
Why is a diagnosis useful?
So, you are recognizing that you can’t hear as well as you once did. Perhaps you should run out to your local box-store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, that would be kind of like buying some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. It might work sometimes. But understanding more about your condition is absolutely indispensable.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex condition. It’s not like the volume in your ear is merely turned down. Actually, people tend to lose their hearing in specific frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear become damaged.
And most individuals don’t even notice it. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is quite good at. For this reason, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing exam. You may not even know you have hearing loss but a hearing examination can expose any you might have. This will also allow you to know which frequencies you’re starting to lose (and as a result, you will be in a better position to manage symptoms.)
Seeing a hearing specialist has its advantages
When you go and buy a hearing aid at the store, you’ll be doing the best you can to match what’s available on the shelf with what you need.
But your hearing aids can be calibrated to your specific hearing needs if you consult with a hearing specialist. We will help you choose the ideal device for your requirements and we will tune it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having difficulty hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following benefits:
- Your hearing specialist can also help you figure out how to adjust your hearing aid effectively. In order to get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is crucial.
- Your hearing specialist can make sure that your hearing aids last as long as possible by helping you comprehend and plan appropriate upkeep and maintenance.
- When you have problems using or understanding 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 custom fitting.
Without the benefit of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will most likely be less ideal, even if you do happen to select the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.
Additionally, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. Losing touch with family and friends because of hearing loss will be a lot less likely if you take the right approach. Those relationships will be maintained. And for the majority of people, that’s one of the most worthwhile parts of life.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient just because you need some help with hearing aids. Quite the opposite, actually. The correct hearing aid can improve your independence and self-sufficiency.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, regulate your symptoms, and select the correct device for your needs.
So contact us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.