Individuals are becoming self-reliant more than they ever did. Want to remodel your kitchen? Just watch that YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? YouTube video. Want to learn how to do calligraphy? YouTube… look, you get the point.
You can discover any information you may want to learn and self-learning has never been more available. So the real question is, are we finished needing experts?
Well, not necessarily. Hearing aids are a practical example. Let’s imagine that you develop a need for these useful little devices. Should you race out to Walmart and get a set of over-the-counter hearing aids? Although this might make you feel self-sufficient and sound like the convenient option, there are a few real disadvantages. In reality, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and effective if you come in to get a consultation with us.
Hearing loss symptoms
The symptoms of hearing loss might appear to be clear-cut, even obvious. Things get harder to hear, right? While that might sometimes be the case, in other circumstances the symptoms can be less evident. In many cases, we are unaware of what to watch out for and we miss the signs of hearing loss.
Some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:
- Needing people to repeat what they just said: You may frequently ask people to repeat themselves. This is a sign of hearing loss, even if it seems like the volume is the problem. You should consider whether it’s an issue with your ears if lots of individuals start to seem like their “mumbling”.
- Headaches and exhaustion: Often, when you have hearing loss, your brain struggles to keep up. It’s like you’re continuously squinting with your ears as your brain works extra hard attempting to process sound. This can result in chronic headaches and fatigue.
- Trouble hearing conversations in loud places: Do you have a difficult time following discussions when you go out to dinner with family or friends? This is normally a pretty reliable sign that some amount of hearing loss may be happening.
- The constant need to turn the volume up: Are you always turning up the volume on your television? Well, that’s an indicator of hearing loss. This one is often missed because it progresses gradually over a long period of time.
Obviously, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is unique. But you should certainly come see us for an assessment if you are detecting any of these symptoms.
Can a diagnosis be helpful?
So, you are realizing that you can’t hear as well as you used to. Why not just go to the store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid? Well, that would be kind of like buying some corrective glasses without determining your prescription. It may work in some cases. But understanding more about your condition is definitely indispensable.
That’s because hearing loss is a complex problem. It’s not like the volume in your ear is simply turned down. Instead, as stereocilia in your ear get damaged, you often lose your hearing in parts at a time, that is, you usually lose the ability to hear high-frequency or low-frequency sounds first.
And it often goes undetected. The brain is really good at compensating for these things. Because of this, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing assessment. This screening process can help you discover hearing loss you may not even recognize you have. You’ll also have the chance to correctly diagnose which frequencies are fading the fastest (and because of this, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)
Benefits of going to a hearing specialist
When you go and purchase a hearing aid off the shelf, 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 specific hearing needs if you go to a hearing specialist. We will help you choose the ideal device for your needs and we will calibrate it to boost the particular frequency that you’re having difficulty hearing.
Your hearing specialist will also have the following benefits:
- Your hearing specialist will help you comprehend how to get the most out of your hearing aids if you’re having trouble understanding how to best utilize them.
- Your hearing specialist can help you set up the necessary maintenance for your hearing aid, making sure that your devices last for as long as possible.
- Your hearing specialist can also help you figure out how to program your hearing aid effectively. So that you can get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is crucial.
- The ability to help you individualize the general fit of your hearing aid, ensuring your devices are comfortable and work properly.
Even if you get lucky enough to select the best hearing aids for you, if don’t have the advantage of a hearing specialist, your hearing experience will probably be less than optimal.
In addition, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. Feeling isolated from family and friends because of hearing loss will be a lot less likely if you take the correct approach. Those relationships will be maintained. And for most people, that’s one of the most significant parts of life.
Everything doesn’t always have to be DIY
Seeking help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are somehow less self-sufficient. Quite the opposite, actually. The correct hearing aid can improve your independence and self-sufficiency.
A hearing specialist can help you diagnose your hearing loss, manage your symptoms, and pick out the correct device for your requirements.
So contact us so that we can help you address your hearing loss.