People are more self-reliant than ever. Does your car require some repairs? 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 available. So the real question is, are we finished needing professionals?
Well, not exactly. Take, for example, your hearing aids. Let’s envision that you develop a need for these handy little devices. Should you run out to Walmart and get a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this may make you feel like you’re being self-sufficient and sound like the convenient solution, there are a few real downsides. In fact, going to see a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
Hearing loss signs
You may think that hearing loss symptoms are pretty self-evident. You can’t hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the symptoms of hearing loss can be much more diverse, and much less obvious. Indeed, individuals frequently miss the symptoms of hearing loss because they don’t know what to look for.
Some of the most prevalent symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Needing people to repeat what they said: You’re frequently needing people to repeat what they said. This is a sign of hearing loss, even if it seems like the volume is the issue. If you begin to experience a great number of people who “mumble,” it may be your ears that are the problem.
- Having a difficult time hearing when it’s noisy: When you’re out at a nice restaurant with friends and family, you have a tough time following along with conversations. You should certainly pay attention if you observe this symptom because it’s a fairly strong sign of hearing loss.
- Headaches and exhaustion: Typically, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It’s having to work much harder to process information, it’s like squinting all the time, but with your ears. Tiredness and chronic headaches can be the consequence.
- Having to continually crank up the volume: Are you consistently turning up the volume on your television? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This one is frequently missed because it develops gradually over a long time period.
Naturally, these symptoms aren’t always the only symptoms of hearing loss. Everyone’s experience will be slightly different. But you should definitely come see us for an assessment if you are noticing any of these symptoms.
Can a diagnosis be helpful?
So, you are realizing that you are unable to hear as well as you used to. Perhaps you should run out to your local box-store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, would you go out and buy prescription glasses without getting an eye exam? It may work in some cases. But understanding more about your condition is absolutely indispensable.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex problem. It’s not like someone simply turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia in your ear get damaged, you tend to 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 frequently goes undetected. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is quite good at. For this reason, it’s usually necessary to get a hearing test. This screening process can help you expose hearing loss you may not even know you have. This will also help you understand which frequencies you’re starting to lose (and as a result, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
Visiting a hearing specialist has its advantages
When you go and purchase a hearing aid off the shelf, you’ll be doing your best to match what’s available on the shelf with what you need.
But when you go see a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your requirements. Your hearing specialist can help you select the best device for your symptoms and then customize that device specifically for the frequency you need assistance with.
Here are some other advantages to seeing a hearing specialist:
- The ability to help you customize the general fit of your hearing aid, ensuring your devices are comfortable and work properly.
- Your hearing specialist can help you set up the appropriate maintenance for your hearing aid, making sure that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Adjusting your hearing aid more effectively is also something your hearing specialist can also assist you with. This is crucial to a quality experience with your devices.
- When you have difficulty using or comprehending how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help take you step-by-step through the process and make sure you comprehend how to get the most out of your devices.
Even if you get lucky enough to select 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 optimal.
In addition, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. Feeling isolated from friends and family due to hearing loss will be much less likely if you take the right approach. Those connections will be maintained. And for the majority of people, that’s one of the most important parts of life.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
Seeking help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are in some way less self-sufficient. Quite the opposite, actually. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be improved by using the correct hearing aids.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, control your symptoms, and pick out the right device for your needs.
In other words, if you think you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!