You’re not really certain why, but you’ve been feeling moody lately. Well, you did feel left out earlier today when no one bothered to pull you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was irritating. Your daughter got up and abruptly left the house after becoming annoyed when you kept asking her to turn the TV volume up. Why would she do that?
Did you ever stop to think that perhaps you could be battling with hearing loss?
Hearing loss is an issue for around 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And, the problem doesn’t end at your ears, either. Even minor hearing loss puts you at risk of depression, memory problems, and even dementia, according to some research. What you might presume is just an indication of age, may actually be a treatable medical problem. Maybe, your co-workers didn’t leave you out of the conversation after all, maybe you missed critical conversational queues because you didn’t hear them. The fact is, if you can’t hear properly during your day-to-day life, it can become extremely frustrating.
Learn more about hearing loss
Finding out a little more about what you’re dealing with is a useful place to begin. Hearing loss does happen to many individuals as a result of the aging process. But for other people, it might be due to years of noise overexposure. Noise-related hearing loss can be caused by lots of noise sources, including mowing the lawn and leaf blowing, listening to loud music, and driving in heavy traffic with the window down. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging sound that can deteriorate the fragile mechanisms that help you hear.
Chronic diseases that become more common as we age are a potential factor as well. High blood pressure, for instance, or diabetes can both affect blood flow, which can cause damage to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People typically don’t recognize when their hearing begins to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- You frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat themselves
- When people are having discussions, you always feel left out
- Finding it difficult to comprehend words when there is background noise like a fan or the AC
If you notice any of these hearing loss indicators, it’s no wonder you’re cranky! Feeling separated from your world can lead to depression and even social solitude.
Develop a plan to manage hearing loss
Start by asking a family member or a loved one if they have seen you working hard to hear conversations or if you say “What?” a little too often. It may seem like a challenging discussion but it’s a really worthwhile one. If if they answer ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing examination should be your next move and will clarify things for you. Ask your loved one to go along with you to your appointment. A supportive, calming presence can be really helpful.
Your hearing exam will not only help to confirm your hearing loss but it will also gauge the extent of it. Depending on the results of your exam, 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 worry, there are so many options and features that you’re sure to find hearing aids that fit your lifestyle!
Deciding on quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. You will probably need to try a few brands and models before you discover the best fit for your specific taste and hearing needs. Today’s hearing aids do lots more than just amplify sound. They can determine the direction that sound is coming from, block out background sound, and even connect to smartphones and computers. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids offer different features, so research them to find out what features you need to better your life.
Also, don’t forget to think about styles. Some models have no color and are almost invisible and other models come in dazzling colors.
Schedule a hearing assessment with our qualified hearing specialists today if you think you could be experiencing hearing loss. It’s time to get out of that grumpy mindset and we can help!
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References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/