People are more self-dependent than ever. Want to remodel your kitchen? You can learn how to do that by watching a YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? YouTube video. Attempting to learn cursive writing? YouTube… look, you get the point.
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 need a professional ever again?
Well, not exactly. Take, for instance, your hearing aids. Imagine if you notice some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these helpful little devices. Should you race out to Walmart and get a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel like you’re being self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are a few real disadvantages. In reality, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and reliable if you come in to get a consultation with us.
Hearing loss symptoms
You might think that hearing loss symptoms are fairly self-evident. Things become more difficult to hear, right? While that might sometimes be the case, in other situations the symptoms can be less apparent. Certainly, individuals frequently miss the signs of hearing loss because they’re unsure about what to watch out for.
Here are a few of the most common hearing loss symptoms:
- Trouble hearing conversations in noisy places: When you’re out at dinner with family and friends, you have a difficult time following along with conversations. This is generally a fairly dependable sign that some amount of hearing loss may be occurring.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You may often ask people to repeat themselves. This is a sign of hearing loss, even if it feels like the volume is the issue. You should consider whether it’s a problem with your ears if lots of people start to sound like their “mumbling”.
- Exhaustion and headaches: 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 constantly, but with your ears. Exhaustion and chronic headaches can be the consequence.
- The persistent need to turn the volume up: Is the volume on your television constantly going up? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This one is often missed because it develops gradually over a long period of time.
Of course, these symptoms are not always the only symptoms of hearing loss. Everyone’s hearing loss experience is unique. But you should absolutely come see us for an assessment if you are noticing any of these symptoms.
Can a diagnosis be useful?
So, you are recognizing that you can’t hear as well as you once did. Why not just go to the store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be kind of like buying some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. In most circumstances, it will be essential to have a detailed understanding of the exact nature of your condition.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex issue. It’s not as if the volume in your ear is merely turned down. Instead, as stereocilia inside of your ear become damaged, you often 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 it often goes unnoticed. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is very good at. For this reason, it’s usually necessary to get a hearing examination. This screening process can help you discover hearing loss you might not even know you have. You’ll also have the chance to properly diagnose which frequencies are fading the quickest (and as a result, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
Visiting a hearing specialist has its benefits
When you go and buy a hearing aid off the shelf, you’ll be doing your best to match what’s available on the shelf with what you require.
But your hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your particular hearing needs if you go to a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist can help you pick the best device for your symptoms and then customize that device specifically for the wavelengths you need help with.
Here are some other benefits to seeing a hearing specialist:
- Your hearing specialist can ensure that your hearing aids last as long as possible by helping you understand and plan correct upkeep and maintenance.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you figure out how to adjust your hearing aid successfully. This is crucial to a quality experience with your devices.
- The ability to help you individualize the overall fit of your hearing aid, making sure your devices are comfortable and effectively working.
- 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.
Even if you get lucky enough to pick the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the benefit of a hearing specialist, your hearing experience will most likely be less than ideal.
You will also be better capable of managing your hearing loss symptoms with the help of a hearing specialist. With the right strategy, you’ll be a lot less likely to lose friends or become isolated from your family on account of your hearing loss symptoms. You’ll be able to keep those connections. And for most people, that’s one of the most significant parts of life.
Not everything has 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. The correct hearing aid can increase your independence and self-sufficiency.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and selecting the correct 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 call us!