You’re not quite certain why, but you’ve been feeling moody lately. Well, it was aggravating earlier this morning when you felt left out of the meeting at work. Your daughter got up and abruptly left the house after becoming frustrated when you kept asking her to turn the volume on the TV up. Why would she do that?
Maybe the real issue is hearing loss!
Hearing loss is a problem for about 40 million individuals in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And, the problem doesn’t end at your ears, either. Research shows that even slight hearing loss puts you at risk for memory problems, dementia, and even depression. You could have a treatable medical condition causing your hearing loss but you think it’s simply 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. The truth is, if you can’t hear very well during your day-to-day life, it can become extremely frustrating.
Learn more about hearing loss
A good place to begin is finding out more about what you’re coping with. Hearing loss does happen to lots of individuals as a result of the aging process. But years of exposure to overly 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 traffic, to mowing lawns and picking up leaves with that loud leaf blower could contribute to a loss of hearing. The fragile mechanisms in your ear can be damaged by lots of sounds in the world.
Long-term diseases that become more prevalent with age are a potential factor as well. When you have conditions that cause issues with your blood pressure, your inner ear can become damaged.
Recognize the signs
People normally take their hearing for granted, so when it starts to go they don’t notice the signs:
- Finding it difficult to hear words when there’s background noise like a fan or the AC
- When individuals are conversing, you continually feel left out
- You frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
If you recognize any of these hearing loss indicators, it’s no wonder you’re cranky! Depression and social solitude can be the consequence of feeling detached from your world.
Develop a plan to manage hearing loss
One of the first things you can do is ask family and friends if they have seen you having a difficult time hearing. It may seem like a challenging discussion but it’s a really worthwhile one. A hearing test should be next on your list, especially if people have noticed you having a tough time hearing. Ask your loved one to go along with 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 dealing with hearing loss and how significant it has become. If hearing loss is established, we will recommend the next strategy for you based on the results of the exam. Typically, hearing aids will be a principal part of the treatment plan. Don’t stress, there are so many choices and features that you’re certain to find hearing aids that fit your lifestyle!
Picking out quality hearing aids
Everybody’s hearing loss is different and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. Take some to time determine the right brand and model for your needs, this could require testing several styles and models. Today’s hearing aids do so much more than just amplify sound. They can determine the direction that sound is coming from, block out background sound, and even connect to smartphones and computers. Do some research to find out which brands and models come with the features that will best fit your lifestyle and needs.
Consider the style you want for your hearing aids, too. Some models have no color and are virtually invisible and other models come in vibrant colors.
If you think you’re dealing with hearing loss, make an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists right away. 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/