You aren’t quite certain why, but you’ve been feeling cranky lately. Well, you did feel left out earlier today when no one bothered to bring you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was irritating. Your daughter got up and suddenly left the house after becoming frustrated when you kept asking her to turn the volume on the TV up. What’s the story with that?
Maybe the real issue is hearing loss!
Hearing loss is an issue for about 40 million individuals in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And, the issue doesn’t end at your ears, either. Research shows that even slight hearing loss puts you at risk for memory issues, cognitive decline, and even depression. What you may think is merely a sign of age, could actually be a treatable medical condition. Perhaps, your co-workers didn’t exclude you from the conversation after all, perhaps you missed critical conversational queues because you didn’t hear them. The truth is, if you can’t hear properly during your day-to-day life, it can become extremely frustrating.
Discover more about hearing loss
Finding out a little more about what you’re struggling with is a practical place to start. Hearing loss does happen to many individuals due to the aging process. But for other people, it may be caused by years of noise overexposure. Everything from the music you listened to when you were 16, to driving with the window down in traffic, to mowing lawns and picking up leaves with that loud leaf blower could contribute to hearing loss. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging sound that can deteriorate the fragile mechanisms that help you hear.
Another possible cause of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more common as we 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 frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat themselves
- When there is background noise, like an AC or fan running, you struggle to hear words
- When individuals are having discussions, you always feel left out
Obviously, you’d be cranky if you’ve been coping with any of these symptoms! Depression and social isolation can be the consequence of feeling detached from your world.
Treating hearing loss
Begin by asking a family member or a loved one if they have noticed you struggling to keep up with conversations or if you say “What?” a little too frequently. It may seem like a difficult talk but it’s a really important one. A hearing examination should be the next thing that you do, particularly if people have observed you having a tough time hearing. Try to get a family member to go along with you to your exam. A supportive, calming presence can be most helpful.
Your hearing exam will not only help to verify your hearing loss but it will also gauge the extent of it. If hearing loss is identified, we will advise the next course of action for you depending on the results of the exam. In most instances, 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 pick from.
Deciding on quality hearing aids
We’ll have recommendations that will be best suited for your distinct type of hearing loss. Take some to time determine the correct brand and model for your needs, this may require testing a few styles and models. Today’s hearing aids do a lot more than just amplify sound. They can pinpoint the direction that sound is originating from, block out background sound, and even link 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.
Think about the style you want for your hearing aids, as well. Some models have no color and are almost invisible and other models come in dazzling colors.
If you think you’re experiencing hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists today. 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/