You know you’re feeling moody these days but you’re not really sure why. Well, you did feel left out earlier this morning when no one took the time to bring you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was annoying. The other night your daughter seemed annoyed with you when you asked her to turn up the volume of the TV over and over again resulting in her abruptly leaving the house. What’s the deal with that?
Did you ever stop to think that maybe you could be suffering from hearing loss?
As you age hearing loss can take you by surprise and over 40 million people in the US suffer with it. And the problem goes beyond just your ears. Research indicates that even mild hearing loss puts you at risk for memory issues, cognitive decline, and even depression. You could have a manageable medical condition causing your hearing loss but you think it’s merely a sign of aging. Perhaps, 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 aggravating when you can’t hear during your daily life.
Get the facts about hearing loss
A good place to start is learning more about what you’re dealing with. For many individuals, hearing loss is a natural side effect of growing older. But for other people, it might be due to 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 a loss of hearing. The world is full of potentially ear-damaging noise that can erode the delicate mechanisms that help you hear.
Another possible cause of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more prevalent with age. High blood pressure, for example, or diabetes can both interfere with blood flow, which causes harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People typically don’t recognize when their hearing starts to go because hearing is often taken for granted:
- 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
- When individuals are having discussions, you always feel left out
If you recognize any of these hearing loss signs, it’s no wonder you’re cranky! Depression and social isolation can be the result of feeling separated from your world.
Make a plan to manage hearing loss
Start 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 often. It may seem like a challenging discussion but it’s a really worthwhile one. If the answer is ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing assessment should be your next step and will clarify things for you. Try to get a 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 exam will both gauge whether you’re experiencing hearing loss and how extensive it has become. Depending on the results of your exam, we will be able to decide on your best plan moving forward. Typically, hearing aids will be a principal part of the treatment plan. Don’t stress, there are so many options and features that you’re sure to find hearing aids that are perfect for your lifestyle!
How to choose quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. You will probably need to test a few brands and models before you find the best fit for your particular taste and hearing needs. Hearing aids don’t simply amplify sound nowadays. They can block out background sounds, connect to smartphones and computers, and even determine the direction of a sound. Do some research to find out which brands and models come with the features that will best fit your lifestyle and needs.
Also, don’t forget to think about styles. They come in many snazzy colors or with no color at all, so they’re virtually invisible.
If you think you’re experiencing hearing loss, schedule an appointment with our qualified hearing specialists right away. Don’t you think it’s time to take action and end your grumpy state of mind?
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/