You know you’re feeling moody these days but you’re not exactly certainly why. Well, you did feel left out earlier today when no one took the time to bring you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was annoying. The other night your daughter seemed frustrated with you when you asked her to turn up the volume of the TV over and over again resulting in her suddenly leaving the house. What’s the deal with that?
Did you ever stop to think that maybe you could be battling with hearing loss?
As you age hearing loss can sneak up on you and over 40 million individuals in the US suffer with it. And, the issue doesn’t end at your ears, either. Research indicates that even slight hearing loss puts you at risk for memory problems, dementia, and even depression. You might have a manageable medical condition causing your hearing loss but you think it’s merely an indication of aging. Maybe, your co-workers didn’t exclude you from the conversation after all, maybe you missed crucial conversational queues because you didn’t hear them. Honestly, it can be exceedingly aggravating when you can’t hear during your daily life.
Get the facts about hearing loss
A good place to start is discovering more about what you’re dealing with. For many people, hearing loss is a normal side effect of growing older. 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 a teenager, to driving with the window down in traffic, to mowing lawns and picking up leaves with that noisy leaf blower could contribute to hearing loss. The delicate mechanisms in your ear can be harmed by lots of sounds in the world.
Long-term diseases that become more prevalent as we age are a possible factor as well. When you have conditions that cause issues with your blood pressure, your inner ear can become damaged.
Recognize the signs
People generally don’t detect when their hearing begins to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- When people are having discussions, you always feel excluded
- You’re always asking people to repeat what they said or even worse, saying ‘what’ all of the time
- When there is background sound, like an AC or fan running, you struggle to hear words
Naturally, you’d be cranky if you’ve been dealing with any of these symptoms! Feeling separated from your world can trigger depression and even social isolation.
Create a plan to manage hearing loss
Start by asking a family member or a loved one if they have seen you working hard to keep up with conversations or if you say “What?” a little too often. It might seem like a challenging conversation but it’s a really worthwhile one. A hearing examination should be next on your list, particularly if people have observed you having a difficult time hearing. Ask your loved one to accompany you to your appointment. A supportive, calming friend can be most helpful.
Your hearing test will not only help to verify your hearing loss but it will also gauge the degree of it. Depending on the results of your test, we will be able to figure out your best course of action going forward. Typically, hearing aids will be a major part of the treatment plan. You’ll definitely be able to get a pair of hearing aids that will best fit your lifestyle since there are so many styles and options to pick from.
Deciding on quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you determine what treatment will be best for yours. You will most likely need to evaluate a number of brands and models before you find the best fit for your particular taste and hearing needs. Hearing aids don’t just amplify sound these days. They can block out background noises, connect to smartphones and computers, and even determine the direction of a sound. Different brands and types of hearing aids offer different features, so research them to determine what features you need to better your life.
Also, don’t forget to think about styles. Some models have no color and are nearly invisible and other models come in dazzling colors.
If you think you’re suffering from hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists right away. Don’t you think it’s time to find out and end your cranky state of mind?
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/