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? YouTube video. Attempting to learn cursive writing? YouTube… look, you get the idea.
Anything you want to learn, you can find, and there’s excellent potential to teach and educate yourself on the Internet. So the real question is, are we finished needing experts?
Well, not necessarily. Hearing aids are a good example. Let’s envision that you develop a need for these beneficial little devices. Should you race out to Walmart and get a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? It sounds fairly effortless (and gives you the impression of self-sufficiency), but there are a few considerable drawbacks. As a matter of fact, visiting a hearing specialist for hearing aids can help make your hearing aids more reliable and more comfortable.
Hearing loss symptoms
You might think that hearing loss symptoms are pretty self-evident. Things get harder to hear, right? While that might sometimes be the truth, in other circumstances the symptoms can be less obvious. Certainly, people frequently miss the signs of hearing loss because they don’t know what to look for.
Some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Headaches and exhaustion: Your brain often has to work overtime as it struggles to process sound. 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 result.
- Needing people to repeat what they said: 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. You should consider whether it’s a problem with your ears if lots of individuals start to sound like their “mumbling”.
- The persistent need to turn the volume up: Is your television volume continuously going up? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This is one of the more apparent ones, but it tends to progress so slowly that it’s often missed.
- Problems hearing conversations in noisy places: When you’re out at a nice restaurant with family and friends, you have a difficult time following along with conversations. You should certainly pay attention if you notice this symptom because it’s a rather powerful sign of hearing loss.
Obviously, there are other signs of hearing loss besides these. Everyone’s experience will be slightly different. But if you are noticing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit us to get a diagnosis.
Can a diagnosis be helpful?
So, you are realizing that you can’t hear as well as you used to. Maybe you should run out to your local box-store and purchase an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, that would be kind of like buying some corrective glasses without knowing your prescription. It might work sometimes. But knowing more about your condition is definitely essential.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex issue. It’s not like somebody simply turns the volume knob in your ear. Actually, individuals tend to lose their hearing in specific frequency ranges as the stereocilia in the ear get damaged.
And it often goes undetected. The brain is very good at compensating for these things. Because of this, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing test. This screening process can help you expose hearing loss you may not even know you have. You’ll also have the chance to properly diagnose which frequencies tend to be fading the quickest (and as a result, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
Visiting a hearing specialist has its benefits
When you go and buy a hearing aid at the store, you’ll be doing the best you can to match what’s available on the shelf with what you need.
But your hearing aids can be fine-tuned to your specific hearing needs if you go to a hearing specialist. Your hearing specialist can help you pick the best device for your symptoms and then tailor that device specifically for the wavelengths you need help with.
Here are a few other advantages to seeing a hearing specialist:
- Adjusting your hearing aid more effectively is also something your hearing specialist can also assist you with. In order to get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is crucial.
- Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can help you set up the appropriate maintenance for your hearing aid, ensuring that your devices last for as long as possible.
- When you have trouble using or comprehending how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help take you step-by-step through the process and be sure you comprehend how to get the most out of your devices.
Even if you get lucky enough to pick the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing experience will probably be less than ideal.
Additionally, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. Losing touch with family and friends because of hearing loss will be a great deal less likely if you take the right approach. You’ll be able to keep those connections. And for most individuals, 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 assistance with hearing aids. Quite the opposite, actually. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be increased by using the correct hearing aids.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, manage your symptoms, and pick out the correct device for your needs.
In other words, if you suspect you have hearing loss, it’s time to contact us!