You’re not really sure why, but you’ve been feeling moody lately. Well, it was frustrating earlier today when you felt left out of the meeting at work. Last night your daughter seemed frustrated with you when you asked her to turn the tv volume up over and over again resulting in her abruptly leaving the house. Why would she do that?
Perhaps the real issue is hearing loss!
As you age hearing loss can take you by surprise and over 40 million individuals in the US suffer with it. And, the problem doesn’t end at your ears, either. Even minor hearing loss puts you at risk of depression, memory problems, and even cognitive decline, according to some research. What you might presume is merely a sign of age, could actually be a treatable medical condition. Perhaps, your co-workers didn’t leave you out of the conversation after all, perhaps you missed crucial conversational queues because you couldn’t hear them. The truth is, if you can’t hear properly during your everyday life, it can become incredibly frustrating.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Finding out a little bit more about what you’re coping with is a useful place to begin. Hearing loss does happen to many individuals as a result of the aging process. But years of exposure to excessively loud sound can also be the cause for others. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by lots of noise sources, including mowing the lawn and leaf blowing, listening to loud music, and driving in loud traffic with the window down. The fragile mechanisms in your ear can be harmed by lots of sounds in the world.
Chronic diseases that become more common as one grows older are a possible factor as well. When you have disorders that cause problems with your blood pressure, your inner ear can become damaged.
Recognize the signs
People often take their hearing for granted, so when it starts to go they don’t recognize the signs:
- You’re always asking people to repeat themselves or even worse, saying ‘what’ all of the time
- When there is background noise, like an AC or fan running, you have a hard time hearing words
- When individuals are having discussions, you always feel left out
If you notice any of these hearing loss signs, it’s no wonder you’re cranky! Feeling separated from your world can cause depression and even social isolation.
Treating hearing loss
One of the very first things you can do is ask friends and family members if they have observed you having a difficult time hearing. It’s a crucial conversation even if it’s a difficult one. If if they answer ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing examination should be your next move and will clarify things for you. Try to get a family member to accompany you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive friend with you.
Your hearing exam will both gauge whether you’re experiencing hearing loss and how extensive it has become. Depending on the results of your exam, we will be able to determine your best plan moving forward. Typically, hearing aids will be a principal part of the treatment plan. You’ll certainly be able to get a pair of hearing aids that will best fit your lifestyle since there are so many styles and options to choose from.
Deciding on quality hearing aids
Everybody’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. Take some to time choose the right brand and model for your needs, this might require testing a few styles and models. Hearing aids don’t simply amplify sound nowadays. They can block out background sounds, link to smartphones and computers, and even determine the direction that sound is coming from. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids come with different features, so research them to determine what features you require to improve your life.
And, remember to consider styles. Some models have no color and are almost invisible and other models come in vibrant colors.
If you think you’re dealing with hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists today. It’s time to get out of that grumpy mindset and we can help!
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/