You aren’t really sure why, but you’ve been feeling moody lately. Well, you did feel left out earlier today when no one bothered to bring you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was irritating. Your daughter got up and abruptly left the house after becoming frustrated when you kept asking her to turn the TV volume up. Why would she do that?
Did you ever stop to think that maybe you could be battling with hearing loss?
As you age hearing loss can take you by surprise and over 40 million people in the US suffer with it. And, the issue doesn’t end at your ears, either. Even mild hearing loss puts you at risk of depression, memory loss, and even dementia, according to some research. What you may think is just 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 truth is, if you can’t hear very well during your everyday life, it can become extremely frustrating.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Finding out a little more about what you’re coping with is a practical place to begin. Hearing loss does happen to many people due to the aging process. But years of exposure to excessively loud sound can also be the cause for others. Everything from the music you listened to when you were a teenager, to driving with the window down in heavy traffic, to mowing lawns and picking up leaves with that noisy leaf blower could contribute to a loss of hearing. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging noise that can deteriorate the delicate mechanisms that help you hear.
Another possible source of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more prevalent as we grow older. High blood pressure, for example, or diabetes can both interfere with blood flow, which causes harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People usually don’t detect when their hearing begins to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- Struggling to understand words when there’s background noise like a fan or the AC
- When individuals are having discussions, you always feel excluded
- You frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
If you recognize any of these hearing loss symptoms, it’s no wonder you’re grumpy! Feeling detached from your world can cause depression and even social isolation.
Create a plan to treat hearing loss
One of the initial things you can do is ask family and friends if they have observed you having a hard time hearing. It’s an important discussion even if it’s a difficult one. A hearing examination should be next on your list, especially if people have noticed you having a difficult 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 test will not only help to confirm your hearing loss but it will also gauge the degree of it. If hearing loss is established, we will recommend the next course of action for you depending on the results of the test. In most instances, that will entail getting hearing aids. Don’t worry, there are so many choices and features that you’re certain to find hearing aids that are perfect for your lifestyle!
Deciding on quality hearing aids
We’ll have recommendations that will be best suited for your unique type of hearing loss. You will probably need to evaluate several brands and models before you discover the best fit for your particular taste and hearing requirements. Hearing aids don’t just amplify sound these days. They can identify 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 improve your life.
Also, remember to think about styles. Some models have no color and are nearly invisible and other models come in dazzling colors.
Schedule a hearing assessment with our qualified hearing specialists right away if you believe you may be experiencing 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/