You know you’re feeling moody these days but you’re not quite certainly why. Well, you did feel excluded earlier this morning 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 irritated when you kept asking her to turn the volume on the TV up. What’s the story with that?
Maybe the real issue is hearing loss!
Hearing loss is an issue for about 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And the issue goes beyond only your ears. Research shows that even minor hearing loss puts you at risk for memory problems, dementia, and even depression. What you might think is simply 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 fact is, if you can’t hear very well during your everyday life, it can become incredibly frustrating.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Learning a little more about what you’re struggling with is a practical place to begin. Hearing loss does happen to lots of people due to the aging process. But years of exposure to overly loud noise can also be the cause for others. Everything from the music you listened to when you were 16, to driving with the window down in traffic, to mowing lawns and cleaning up leaves with that noisy leaf blower could contribute to a loss of hearing. The fragile mechanisms in your ear can be damaged by lots of noises in the world.
Another possible source of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more prevalent as we age. High blood pressure, for example, or diabetes can both interfere with blood flow, which can cause harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People often take their hearing for granted, so when it begins to go they don’t detect the signs:
- When there’s background sound, like an AC or fan running, you have a hard time hearing words
- You frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
- You regularly feel like you are being left out of the conversations
Obviously, you’d be grumpy if you’ve been coping with any of these symptoms! Feeling detached from your world can trigger depression and even social isolation.
Make 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 frequently. It may seem like a challenging conversation but it’s a very important one. If if they answer ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing exam should be your next step and will clarify things for you. Ask your loved one to go along with 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 dealing with hearing loss and how extensive it has become. Depending on the results of your exam, we will be able to specify your best course of action going forward. Typically, hearing aids will be a principal part of the treatment plan. Don’t worry, there are so many options and features that you’re certain to get hearing aids that fit your lifestyle!
How to pick quality hearing aids
Everybody’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. You will probably need to evaluate a number of brands and models before you discover the best fit for your specific taste and hearing requirements. Today’s hearing aids do lots more than just amplify sound. They can determine the direction that sound is originating from, block out background sound, and even link to smartphones and computers. Different brands and types of hearing aids include different features, so research them to find out what features you require to better your life.
And, remember to think about styles. They come in various snazzy colors or with no color at all, so they are virtually invisible.
If you think you’re dealing with hearing loss, make an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists today. It’s time to get out of that cranky mindset and we can help!
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/
