You aren’t really sure why, but you’ve been feeling moody lately. Well, you did feel excluded earlier this morning when no one took the time to pull you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was aggravating. Your daughter got up and suddenly left the house after becoming frustrated when you kept asking her to turn the volume on the TV up. Why would she do that?
Maybe the real issue is hearing loss!
Hearing loss is an issue for roughly 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And, the issue doesn’t end at your ears, either. Research reveals that even mild hearing loss puts you at risk for memory problems, cognitive decline, and even depression. You could have a manageable medical condition causing your hearing loss but you think it’s simply an indication of aging. Perhaps, you missed significant conversational cues and your coworkers didn’t actually leave you out of the meeting after all. Honestly, it can be very frustrating when you can’t hear during your daily life.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Learning a little more about what you’re struggling with is a useful place to start. For many individuals, hearing loss is a normal side effect of getting older. But for others, it might be due to years of noise overexposure. Everything from the music you listened to when you were 16, to driving with the window down in traffic, to mowing lawns and picking up leaves with that loud leaf blower could contribute to hearing loss. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging sound that can deteriorate the delicate mechanisms that help you hear.
Chronic diseases that become more prevalent with age are a potential factor as well. When you have conditions that cause problems with your blood pressure, your inner ear can become damaged.
Recognize the signs
People typically don’t detect when their hearing begins to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- You always feel like you are being left out of the discussions
- When there’s background noise, like an AC or fan running, you have a hard time hearing words
- You’re always asking people to repeat themselves or even worse, saying ‘what’ all of the time
Naturally, you’d be cranky if you’ve been coping with any of these symptoms! Depression and social isolation can be the result of feeling detached from your world.
Treating hearing loss
One of the very first things you can do is ask family and friends if they have seen you having a difficult time hearing. It may seem like a difficult discussion but it’s a very worthwhile one. If the answer is ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing test should be your next step and will clarify things for you. Ask your loved one to accompany you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive presence with you.
Your hearing examination will not only help to establish your hearing loss but it will also gauge the extent of it. If hearing loss is established, we will advise the next strategy for you based on the results of the exam. In most instances, that will entail getting hearing aids. You’ll definitely be able to get a set of hearing aids that will best fit your situation since there are so many styles and options to choose from.
How to pick quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is different and we will help you figure out what treatment will be best for yours. You will most likely need to evaluate a number of brands and models before you discover the best fit for your particular taste and hearing needs. Hearing aids don’t simply amplify sound these days. They can pinpoint the direction that sound is coming from, block out background noise, and even connect to smartphones and computers. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids include different features, so research them to determine what features you need to improve your life.
Consider the style you want for your hearing aids, as well. Some models have no color and are nearly invisible and other models come in vibrant colors.
If you think you’re experiencing hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists today. Don’t you think it’s time to take action and end your grumpy state of mind?
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/