You aren’t really sure why, but you’ve been feeling moody lately. Well, you did feel excluded earlier today when no one bothered to bring you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was irritating. The other night your daughter seemed frustrated with you when you asked her to turn up the volume of the TV over and over again leading to her suddenly leaving the house. Why would she do that?
Perhaps the real issue is hearing loss!
As you get older hearing loss can take you by surprise and over 40 million individuals in the US suffer with it. And the issue goes beyond just your ears. Even mild hearing loss puts you at risk of depression, memory loss, and even cognitive decline, according to some research. What you might believe is merely an indication of age, could actually be a treatable medical problem. Maybe, your co-workers didn’t exclude you from the conversation after all, perhaps you missed crucial conversational queues because you didn’t hear them. The fact is, if you can’t hear very well during your everyday life, it can become extremely frustrating.
Get the facts about hearing loss
A good place to start is discovering more about what you’re dealing with. Hearing loss does happen to lots of 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 cleaning up leaves with that noisy leaf blower could contribute to hearing loss. The fragile mechanisms in your ear can be harmed by lots of noises in the world.
Chronic diseases that become more prevalent with age are a possible factor as well. High blood pressure, for instance, or diabetes can both affect blood flow, which causes harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People typically don’t detect when their hearing starts to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- Finding it difficult to hear words when there’s background noise like a fan or the AC
- You regularly say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
- You always feel like you are being left out of the discussions
If you detect any of these hearing loss indicators, it’s no wonder you’re grumpy! Depression and social solitude can be the consequence of feeling separated from your world.
Develop a plan to manage 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 might seem like a difficult conversation but it’s a really important one. A hearing examination should be the next thing that you do, especially if people have observed you having a hard time hearing. Ask your 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 test 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 figure out your best course of action moving forward. Usually, hearing aids will be a principal part of the treatment plan. You’ll definitely be able to get a pair of hearing aids that will best fit your situation since there are so many styles and options to pick from.
How to choose quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is different and we will help you figure out what treatment will be best for yours. Take some to time choose the correct brand and model for your needs, this could require testing a few styles and models. Hearing aids don’t just amplify sound these days. They can block out background noises, link to smartphones and computers, and even pinpoint the direction that sound is coming from. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids come with different features, so research them to find out what features you need to improve your life.
And, don’t forget to think about styles. They come in many snazzy colors or with no color at all, so they are nearly invisible.
Schedule a hearing exam with our qualified hearing specialists today if you suspect you may be experiencing hearing loss. Don’t you think it’s time to find out 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/