You’re not really certain why, but you’ve been feeling cranky lately. Well, it was aggravating earlier today when you felt left out of the meeting at the office. Your daughter got up and abruptly left the house after becoming annoyed when you kept asking her to turn the volume on the TV up. What’s the deal with that?
Maybe the real problem is hearing loss!
Hearing loss is a problem for around 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And the issue goes beyond just your ears. Research indicates that even minor hearing loss puts you at risk for memory issues, dementia, and even depression. You might have a treatable medical condition causing your hearing loss but you think it’s simply an indication of aging. Maybe, your co-workers didn’t exclude you from the conversation after all, perhaps you missed critical conversational queues because you couldn’t hear them. The truth is, if you can’t hear very well during your day-to-day life, it can become extremely frustrating.
Discover more about hearing loss
Finding out a little bit more about what you’re struggling with is a useful place to start. Hearing loss does happen to lots of individuals due to the aging process. But for others, it may be caused by years of noise overexposure. Noise-related hearing loss can be a result of many noise sources, like mowing the lawn and leaf blowing, listening to loud music, and driving in loud traffic with the window down. The delicate mechanisms in your ear can be damaged by lots of sounds in the world.
Another potential cause of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more common as we age. When you have conditions that cause issues with your blood pressure, your inner ear can become damaged.
Recognize the signs
People typically don’t recognize when their hearing begins to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- When there is background noise, like an AC or fan running, you struggle to hear words
- When people are conversing, you always feel excluded
- You frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
Naturally, you’d be cranky if you’ve been dealing with any of these signs! Feeling separated from your world can result in depression and even social isolation.
Develop a plan to manage hearing loss
One of the first things you can do is ask friends and family members if they have noticed you having a difficult time hearing. It may seem like a difficult discussion but it’s a really worthwhile one. If the answer is ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing assessment should be your next step and will simplify things for you. 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 both gauge whether you’re experiencing hearing loss and how extensive it has become. If hearing loss is determined, we will recommend the next course of action for you depending on the results of the exam. In most instances, that will involve getting hearing aids. You’ll definitely be able to get a set 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
We’ll have recommendations that will be best suited for your distinct type of hearing loss. Take some to time find the right brand and model for your needs, this may require testing several styles and models. Today’s hearing aids do lots more than simply amplify sound. They can block out background noises, connect to smartphones and computers, and even pinpoint the direction of a sound. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids have different features, so research them to find out what features you require to improve your life.
Also, don’t forget to consider styles. Some models have no color and are almost invisible and other models come in vibrant colors.
If you think you’re experiencing hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists today. 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/