You know you’re feeling cranky these days but you’re not quite sure why. Well, it was frustrating earlier today when you felt left out of the meeting at work. Your daughter got up and suddenly left the house after becoming annoyed when you kept asking her to turn the volume on the TV up. What’s the story with that?
Did you ever stop to think that perhaps you could be experiencing hearing loss?
Hearing loss is an issue for roughly 40 million individuals in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And the problem goes beyond just your ears. Research reveals that even slight hearing loss puts you at risk for memory problems, dementia, and even depression. What you may think is merely a sign of age, could actually be a treatable medical problem. Perhaps, you missed significant conversational cues and your coworkers didn’t actually leave you out of the meeting after all. The fact is, if you can’t hear very well during your day-to-day life, it can become extremely frustrating.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Learning a little bit more about what you’re dealing with is a practical place to start. Hearing loss does happen to many individuals due to the aging process. But years of exposure to excessively loud noise can also be the cause for others. Everything from the music you listened to when you were 16, to driving with the window down in heavy traffic, to mowing lawns and cleaning up leaves with that loud leaf blower could contribute to hearing loss. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging noise that can erode the fragile mechanisms that help you hear.
Another possible cause of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more common as we age. High blood pressure, for instance, or diabetes can both hinder blood flow, which causes harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People generally don’t detect when their hearing starts to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- When individuals are having discussions, you always feel excluded
- You’re always asking people to repeat themselves or even worse, saying ‘what’ a lot
- When there is background noise, like an AC or fan running, you have a hard time hearing words
If you notice any of these hearing loss signs, it’s no wonder you’re grumpy! Feeling separated from your world can cause depression and even social solitude.
Make a plan to treat hearing loss
Begin by asking a family member or a loved one if they have noticed you working hard to hear conversations or if you say “What?” a little too frequently. It might seem like a difficult talk but it’s a very worthwhile one. A hearing examination should be the next thing that you do, particularly if people have noticed you having a hard time hearing. Ask your loved one to accompany you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive person with you.
Your hearing examination will not only help to establish your hearing loss but it will also gauge the degree of it. Depending on the results of your test, we will be able to specify your best course of action moving forward. Typically, hearing aids will be a principal part of the treatment plan. Don’t stress, there are so many choices and features that you’re certain to find hearing aids that fit your lifestyle!
Deciding on quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is different and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. You will most likely need to try a few brands and models before you determine the best fit for your specific taste and hearing requirements. Hearing aids don’t simply amplify sound nowadays. They can identify the direction that sound is originating from, block out background sound, and even connect to smartphones and computers. Do some research to find out which brands and models provide the features that will best fit your lifestyle and needs.
Think about the style you want for your hearing aids, too. They come in lots of snazzy colors or with no color at all, so they are virtually invisible.
Schedule a hearing exam with our qualified hearing specialists right away if you believe you could be suffering with hearing loss. It’s time to get out of that grumpy mindset and we can help!
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/