Individuals are becoming self-reliant more than ever before. Does your car need some repairs? Simply watch that YouTube video. Is your sink clogged? YouTube video. Attempting to learn cursive writing? Yup…you guessed it…..YouTube.
Anything you want to know, you can find, and there’s great potential to teach and train yourself on the Internet. So the real question is, are we done needing specialists?
Not always. Hearing aids are a practical example. Imagine if you notice some hearing loss and find yourself in need of these helpful little devices. Should you race out to Walmart and pick up a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? It sounds nice and easy (and gives you the illusion of self-sufficiency), but there are a few substantial drawbacks. In fact, visiting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more effective and more comfortable.
Hearing loss symptoms
The symptoms of hearing loss might seem clear-cut, even obvious. Things get harder to hear, right? While that may sometimes be the case, in other circumstances the symptoms can be less apparent. In many instances, we are unaware of what to watch out for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Exhaustion and headaches: Your brain often has to work overtime as it struggles to process sound. It’s having to work extra hard to process information, it’s like squinting constantly, but with your ears. This can result in chronic headaches and tiredness.
- Needing people to repeat what they just said: You might often ask people to repeat themselves. Even if it seems as if people are talking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the issue. If you begin to experience a great many people who “mumble,” it may be your ears that are the issue.
- The continual need to turn the volume up: Is your television volume continuously going up? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This one is often missed because it develops gradually over a long period of time.
- Having a hard time hearing when it’s noisy: When you’re out at dinner with friends and family, you have a tough time following along with conversations. You should certainly pay attention if you detect this symptom because it’s a rather strong sign of hearing loss.
Of course, these symptoms aren’t necessarily the only signs of hearing loss. Everybody’s experience will be slightly different. But you should certainly come see us for an assessment if you are noticing any of these symptoms.
Why is a diagnosis useful?
So, you are realizing that you are unable to hear as well as you once did. Why not simply go to the store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be sort of like buying some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. It might work in some cases. But understanding more about your condition is really indispensable.
Everyone’s experience of hearing loss is distinct and complex. It’s not like somebody simply turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia inside of your ear become damaged, you often lose your hearing in parts at a time, that is, you normally lose the ability to hear high-frequency or low-frequency sounds first.
And it frequently goes unnoticed. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is very good at. That’s why a hearing test is typically essential. This screening process can help you expose hearing loss you might not even realize you have. You’ll also have the chance to correctly diagnose which frequencies are fading the fastest (and be better able to manage your symptoms because of this.)
Advantages of working with a hearing specialist
Matching your hearing requirements to the available selection on the shelf will be something you’ll have to do on your own if you go with over-the-counter hearing aids.
But your hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your particular hearing needs if you consult with a hearing specialist. We will help you select 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 will help you comprehend how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having difficulty understanding how to best use them.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you figure out how to adjust your hearing aid properly. So that you can get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is essential.
- Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can help you plan the appropriate 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 ideal, even if you do happen to pick the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.
You will also be better able to manage your hearing loss symptoms with the assistance of a hearing specialist. Feeling isolated from family and friends due to hearing loss will be much less likely if you take the right approach. You’ll be able to keep those connections. And for the majority of people, that’s one of the most important parts of life.
Not everything has to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient simply because you need some help with hearing aids. In fact, it’s just the opposite. The right hearing aid can increase your independence and self-sufficiency.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and selecting the right hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
So contact us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.
