You know you’re feeling cranky these days but you’re not really sure why. Well, it was annoying earlier this morning when you felt left out of the meeting at work. Your daughter got up and abruptly left the house after becoming annoyed when you kept asking her to turn the TV volume up. What’s the deal with that?
Did you ever stop to think that maybe you could be suffering from hearing loss?
Hearing loss is an issue for roughly 40 million individuals in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And, the issue doesn’t end at your ears, either. Even minor hearing loss puts you at risk of depression, memory problems, and even dementia, according to some research. You could have a manageable medical condition causing your hearing loss but you think it’s merely an indication of aging. Maybe, your co-workers didn’t exclude you from the conversation after all, maybe you missed critical conversational queues because you didn’t hear them. Honestly, it can be extremely frustrating when you can’t hear during your daily life.
Learn more about hearing loss
Learning a little more about what you’re struggling with is a useful place to begin. Hearing loss does happen to many people due to the aging process. But years of exposure to excessively loud noise can also be the cause for others. Noise-related hearing loss can be caused by many noise sources, such as 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 damaged by lots of noises in the world.
Long-term diseases that become more common as one grows older are a potential factor as well. High blood pressure, for example, or diabetes can both interfere with blood flow, which causes damage to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People usually 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 themselves
- Struggling to hear words when there’s background noise like a fan or the AC
- You always feel like you are being excluded from the discussions
If you recognize any of these hearing loss symptoms, it’s no wonder you’re grumpy! Depression and social solitude can be the result of feeling detached from your world.
Make a plan to manage hearing loss
One of the initial things you can do is ask family and friends if they have seen you having a difficult time hearing. It may seem like a difficult talk but it’s a really important one. A hearing examination should be next on your list, especially if people have observed you having a difficult time hearing. Ask your loved one to accompany you to your appointment. A supportive, calming friend can be extremely helpful.
Your hearing test will both gauge whether you’re dealing with hearing loss and how extensive it has become. If hearing loss is established, we will advise the next course of action for you depending on the results of the exam. Normally, 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 situation since there are so many styles and options to choose from.
How to pick quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you figure out what treatment will be best for yours. You will probably need to evaluate a few brands and models before you determine the best fit for your specific taste and hearing needs. Today’s hearing aids do so much more than simply amplify sound. They can block out background noises, link to smartphones and computers, and even pinpoint 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.
Consider the style you want for your hearing aids, as well. Some models have no color and are nearly invisible and other models come in dazzling colors.
Schedule a hearing assessment with our qualified hearing specialists today if you believe you might be suffering with hearing loss. Don’t you think it’s time to take action and end your cranky state of mind?
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/
