You’re not quite certain why, but you’ve been feeling cranky lately. Well, it was irritating earlier today when you felt left out of the meeting at work. Your daughter got up and abruptly left the house after becoming irritated when you kept asking her to turn the TV volume up. Why would she do that?
Perhaps the real issue is hearing loss!
Hearing loss is a problem for roughly 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And the problem goes beyond only your ears. Research reveals that even slight hearing loss puts you at risk for memory issues, dementia, and even depression. What you might believe is simply an indication of age, could actually be a treatable medical condition. Maybe, you missed significant conversational cues and your coworkers didn’t actually leave you out of the meeting after all. Honestly, it can be extremely aggravating when you can’t hear during your day-to-day life.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Finding out a little more about what you’re dealing with is a useful place to begin. For many individuals, hearing loss is a normal side effect of growing older. But years of exposure to excessively loud noise can also be the cause for others. Everything from the music you listened to when you were a teenager, to driving with the window down in heavy traffic, to mowing lawns and cleaning up leaves with that noisy leaf blower could contribute to a loss of hearing. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging noise that can deteriorate the delicate mechanisms that help you hear.
Chronic diseases that become more prevalent as one grows older are a potential factor as well. High blood pressure, for instance, or diabetes can both affect blood flow, which causes harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People generally don’t detect when their hearing starts to go because hearing is often taken for granted:
- You regularly say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
- You always feel like you are being excluded from the discussions
- Finding it difficult to comprehend words when there’s background noise like a fan or the AC
Naturally, you’d be grumpy if you’ve been coping with any of these symptoms! Depression and social isolation can be the result of feeling detached from your world.
Managing hearing loss
Begin 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 an important conversation even if it’s a challenging one. A hearing exam should be next on your list, especially if people have observed you having a difficult time hearing. Ask your loved one to accompany you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive friend with you.
Your hearing exam will not only help to verify your hearing loss but it will also gauge the extent of it. Depending on the results of your exam, we will be able to figure out your best plan going forward. In the majority of instances, that will involve getting hearing aids. You’ll certainly be able to get a set of hearing aids that will best fit your lifestyle since there are so many styles and options to pick from.
How to pick quality hearing aids
We’ll have suggestions that will be best suited for your distinct type of hearing loss. You will most likely need to try a number of brands and models before you find the best fit for your specific taste and hearing needs. Today’s hearing aids do a lot more than simply amplify sound. They can block out background sounds, link to smartphones and computers, and even determine the direction of a sound. Different brands and types of hearing aids include different features, so do some research to find out what features you need to better your life.
Consider the style you want for your hearing aids, also. They come in various snazzy colors or with no color at all, so they are practically invisible.
Schedule a hearing test with our qualified hearing specialists right away if you believe you may be experiencing 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/