You know you’re feeling moody these days but you’re not really certainly why. Well, you did feel excluded earlier this morning 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 suddenly left the house after becoming irritated when you kept asking her to turn the TV volume up. Why would she do that?
Perhaps the real issue is hearing loss!
As you get older hearing loss can take you by surprise and over 40 million people in the US suffer with it. And, the problem doesn’t end at your ears, either. Research indicates that even minor hearing loss puts you at risk for memory problems, cognitive decline, and even depression. You could have a manageable medical condition causing your hearing loss but you think it’s merely an indication of aging. Perhaps, your co-workers didn’t leave you out of the conversation after all, maybe you missed crucial conversational queues because you didn’t hear them. The truth is, if you can’t hear very well during your everyday life, it can become incredibly frustrating.
Learn more about hearing loss
Finding out a little bit more about what you’re struggling with is a useful place to begin. Hearing loss does happen to lots of people as a result of the aging process. But years of exposure to excessively loud sound 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 heavy 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 harmed by lots of sounds in the world.
Chronic diseases that become more common with age are a potential factor as well. High blood pressure, for example, or diabetes can both affect blood flow, which causes harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People normally take their hearing for granted, so when it starts to go they don’t notice the signs:
- You regularly feel like you are being left out of the conversations
- When there is background sound, like an AC or fan running, you struggle to hear words
- You regularly say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
Obviously, you’d be cranky if you’ve been coping with any of these signs! Depression and social solitude can be the outcome of feeling detached from your world.
Treating hearing loss
One of the first things you can do is ask friends and family members if they have seen you having a hard time hearing. It’s a crucial discussion even if it’s a difficult one. If the answer is ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing assessment 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 significant 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 major part of the treatment plan. Don’t worry, there are so many choices and features that you’re sure to get hearing aids that are perfect for your lifestyle!
Deciding on quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is different and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. Take some to time find the correct brand and model for your needs, this could require testing several styles and models. Hearing aids don’t just amplify sound nowadays. They can block out background noises, connect to smartphones and computers, and even determine the direction that sound is coming from. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids offer different features, so research them to find out what features you need to improve your life.
Also, don’t forget to consider styles. Some models have no color and are virtually invisible and other models come in vibrant colors.
Schedule a hearing exam with our qualified hearing specialists right away if you think you might be suffering with hearing loss. 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/
