Individuals are becoming self-dependent 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? 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. Take, for example, your hearing aids. Let’s picture that you develop a need for these beneficial little devices. Should you race out to Walmart and pick up a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the easy option, there are a few real disadvantages. Actually, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and reliable if you come in to get a consultation with us.
Hearing loss signs
You may think that hearing loss symptoms are pretty self-evident. You are unable to hear as well, right? While that might sometimes be the truth, in other situations the symptoms can be less obvious. In many cases, we are unaware of what to watch out for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Here are a few of the most common hearing loss symptoms:
- Having a tough time hearing when it’s noisy: Do you have a tough time keeping up with discussions when you go out to dinner with friends or family? You should definitely pay attention if you detect this symptom because it’s a fairly powerful sign of hearing loss.
- Requesting that people repeat themselves: You may often ask people to repeat themselves. Even if you feel as if people are speaking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the problem. If you begin to experience a great number of individuals who “mumble,” it might be your ears that are the issue.
- Tiredness and headaches: Typically, when you have hearing loss, your brain fights to keep up. It’s like you’re constantly squinting with your ears as your brain works overtime attempting to process sound. Fatigue and chronic headaches can be the consequence.
- The constant need to turn the volume up: Is the volume on your television continuously going up? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This is one of the more apparent ones, but it tends to progress so gradually that it’s frequently missed.
Obviously, there are other signs of hearing loss besides these. Everyone’s experience will be slightly different. But you should absolutely come see us for a consultation if you are detecting any of these symptoms.
Why is a diagnosis helpful?
So, you are realizing that you are unable to hear as well as you once did. Why not simply go to the store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, would you go out and buy prescription glasses without having an eye exam? It might work in some cases. But knowing more about your condition is really essential.
Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is distinct and complex. It’s not like somebody simply turns the volume knob in your ear. Actually, people tend to lose their hearing in particular frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear get damaged.
And it often goes unnoticed. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is very good at. Because of this, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing test. This screening process can help you discover hearing loss you might not even realize you have. You’ll also have the opportunity to correctly diagnose which frequencies are fading the fastest (and be better able to manage your symptoms as a result.)
Benefits of going to a hearing specialist
When you go and purchase a hearing aid at the store, you’ll be doing your best to match what’s available on the shelf with what you need.
But when you visit a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your needs. We will help you choose the ideal device for your needs and we will calibrate it to boost the particular frequency that you’re having trouble hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- The ability to help you personalize the general fit of your hearing aid, making sure your devices are comfortable and work effectively.
- 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 utilize them.
- Your hearing specialist can help you set up the necessary maintenance for your hearing aid, ensuring that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you understand how to adjust your hearing aid properly. In order to get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is essential.
Without the benefit of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will most likely be less optimal, even if you do happen to pick the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.
Also, hearing specialists will be able to help you manage your hearing loss symptoms. With the correct strategy, you’ll be much less likely to lose friends or become isolated from your family because of your hearing loss symptoms. You’ll be able to keep those connections. And that can be extremely important.
Everything doesn’t always need to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient simply because you require some help with hearing aids. Quite the opposite, actually. The right hearing aid can increase your independence and self-sufficiency.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, control your symptoms, and pick out the right device for your requirements.
In other words, if you think you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!
