People are more self-reliant than ever. Does your car need 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 idea.
Anything you want to learn, you can find, and there’s amazing potential to teach and educate yourself on the Internet. So the real question is, are we done needing specialists?
Well, not exactly. Take, for instance, your hearing aids. Let’s envision that you develop a need for these beneficial little devices. Does that mean you should just go out to the local pharmacy and pick up 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 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 might think that hearing loss symptoms are pretty self-evident. You can’t hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the presentations of hearing loss can be much more variable, and much less obvious. Indeed, people 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:
- The continual need to turn the volume up: Are you consistently turning up the volume on your television? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This is one of the more obvious ones, but it tends to progress so slowly that it’s frequently missed.
- Having a difficult time hearing when it’s loud: Do you have a difficult time keeping up with discussions when you go out to dinner with family or friends? This is generally a pretty dependable indication that some degree of hearing loss might be happening.
- Headaches and exhaustion: Often, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It’s like you’re constantly squinting with your ears as your brain works overtime attempting to process sound. This can result in chronic headaches and exhaustion.
- Requesting that people repeat themselves: You’re often needing people to repeat what they said. Even if you feel as if people are talking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the issue. You should consider whether it’s a problem with your ears if lots of people start to sound like their “mumbling”.
Naturally, these symptoms are not necessarily the only symptoms of hearing loss. Everybody’s experience will be slightly different. But you should definitely come see us for a consultation if you are detecting any of these symptoms.
Can a diagnosis be helpful?
So, you are recognizing that you are unable to hear as well as you used to. Why not simply go to the store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be sort of like purchasing some corrective glasses without knowing your prescription. It might work in some cases. But understanding more about your condition is absolutely indispensable.
Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is unique and complex. It’s not like someone 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 become damaged.
And it often goes undetected. Compensating for these types of changes is something that the brain is really good at. That’s why a hearing exam is typically required. You might not even know you have hearing loss but a hearing test can expose any you might have. This will also allow you to understand which frequencies you’re beginning to lose (and as a result, you will be in a better position to manage symptoms.)
Visiting a hearing specialist has its benefits
When you go and buy a hearing aid at the store, you’ll be doing your best to match what’s available on the shelf with what you require.
But your hearing aids can be calibrated to your particular hearing needs if you go to a hearing specialist. We will help you select the ideal device for your needs and we will tune it to boost the particular frequency that you’re having trouble hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following advantages:
- Your hearing specialist can make sure that your hearing aids last as long as possible by helping you comprehend and plan correct upkeep and maintenance.
- Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.
- Your hearing specialist can help you comprehend how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having trouble understanding how to best use them.
- Adjusting your hearing aid more successfully is also something your hearing specialist can also help you with. This is crucial to a good experience with your devices.
Without the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will likely be less optimal, even if you do happen to select the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.
You will also be better capable of managing your hearing loss symptoms with the assistance of a hearing specialist. With the correct strategy, you’ll be much less likely to lose touch with friends or become isolated from your family because of your hearing loss symptoms. Those relationships will be preserved. And for the majority of individuals, that’s one of the most worthwhile parts of life.
Not everything has to be DIY
It doesn’t mean you’re less self-sufficient just because you need some help with hearing aids. Quite the opposite, actually. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be improved by using the right hearing aids.
Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and choosing the correct hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.
So give us a call so that we can help you address your hearing loss.