You know you’re feeling moody these days but you’re not really sure why. Well, you did feel excluded earlier today when no one took the time to pull you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was irritating. 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?
Perhaps the real problem 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 doesn’t end at your ears, either. Research reveals that even minor hearing loss puts you at risk for memory issues, dementia, and even depression. What you may presume is simply a sign of age, may 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. Honestly, it can be very aggravating when you can’t hear during your daily life.
Discover more about hearing loss
A good place to begin is discovering more about what you’re dealing with. For many individuals, hearing loss is a natural side effect of getting older. But for other people, it might be caused by years of noise overexposure. 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 loud leaf blower could contribute to a loss of hearing. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging sound that can erode the delicate mechanisms that help you hear.
Another potential cause of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more prevalent with age. When you have conditions that cause problems with your blood pressure, your inner ear can become damaged.
Recognize the signs
People typically don’t detect when their hearing begins to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- You regularly say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
- When individuals are having discussions, you always feel left out
- Finding it difficult to hear words when there is background noise like a fan or the AC
Obviously, you’d be grumpy if you’ve been coping with any of these symptoms! Depression and social solitude can be the result of feeling separated from your world.
Make a plan to treat hearing loss
Begin by asking a family member or a loved one if they have seen you struggling to hear conversations or if you say “What?” a little too often. It may seem like a difficult conversation but it’s a very worthwhile one. If if they answer ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing assessment should be your next step and will simplify 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 presence with you.
Your hearing examination will not only help to establish your hearing loss but it will also gauge the extent of it. If hearing loss is identified, we will recommend the next course of action for you based on the results of the test. In the majority of cases, that will entail getting hearing aids. 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.
How to pick quality hearing aids
Everybody’s hearing loss is different and we will help you discover 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 particular taste and hearing needs. Hearing aids don’t just amplify sound nowadays. They can block out background sounds, connect to smartphones and computers, and even determine the direction of a sound. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids include different features, so research them to find out what features you require to improve your life.
Also, remember to think about styles. They come in many fashionable colors or with no color at all, so they’re nearly invisible.
Schedule a hearing exam with our qualified hearing specialists today if you believe you could be experiencing hearing loss. 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/