You’re not quite certain why, but you’ve been feeling cranky lately. Well, you did feel left out earlier today when no one took the time to bring you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was aggravating. 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. What’s the deal with that?
Perhaps the real issue is hearing loss!
As you age hearing loss can sneak up on you and over 40 million people in the US suffer with it. And, the issue doesn’t end at your ears, either. Research indicates that even minor hearing loss puts you at risk for memory issues, cognitive decline, and even depression. What you might believe is simply an indication of age, may actually be a treatable medical problem. Maybe, your co-workers didn’t exclude you from the conversation after all, maybe you missed critical conversational queues because you couldn’t hear them. Honestly, it can be very aggravating when you can’t hear during your daily life.
Discover more about hearing loss
A good place to start is finding out more about what you’re dealing with. Hearing loss does happen to many people due to the aging process. But years of exposure to overly loud noise can also be the cause for others. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by lots of noise sources, such as mowing the lawn and leaf blowing, listening to loud music, and driving in heavy traffic with the window down. 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 as we age. High blood pressure, for instance, or diabetes can both hinder blood flow, which causes harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People typically don’t recognize when their hearing begins to go because hearing is often taken for granted:
- When there is background noise, like an AC or fan running, you struggle to hear words
- You frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat themselves
- You regularly feel like you are being excluded from the conversations
If you detect any of these hearing loss symptoms, it’s no wonder you’re cranky! Feeling separated from your world can trigger depression and even social isolation.
Treating hearing loss
Start by asking a family member or a loved one if they have seen you working hard to hear conversations or if you say “What?” a little too frequently. It’s an important discussion even if it’s a challenging one. If if they answer ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing test should be your next step and will simplify things for you. Ask your loved one to go along with you to your appointment. A supportive, calming friend can be extremely helpful.
Your hearing test will both gauge whether you’re experiencing hearing loss and how significant it has become. If hearing loss is determined, we will advise the next course of action for you based on the results of the test. Typically, hearing aids will be a major part of the treatment plan. Don’t worry, there are so many options and features that you’re sure to find hearing aids that are perfect for your lifestyle!
How to select quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you discover what treatment will be best for yours. You will probably need to test several brands and models before you discover the best fit for your particular taste and hearing needs. Hearing aids don’t simply amplify sound these days. They can block out background noises, link to smartphones and computers, and even pinpoint the direction of a sound. Do some research to find out which brands and models provide the features that will best fit your lifestyle and requirements.
Also, remember to think about styles. They come in various fashionable colors or with no color at all, so they are practically invisible.
If you think you’re suffering from hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists today. Don’t you think it’s time to take action and end your grumpy state of mind?
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/
