Knowing when you require some medical advice is typically fairly easy. You know you need to go see a doctor immediately if you break your leg, for example. You could need a splint or a cast or supportive device, but the thing is that you’re not likely to try “toughing it out”. At least, not for very long (particularly if you want your bones to mend themselves correctly).
It isn’t always that clear cut in terms of hearing aids, though. Hearing loss is typically a developing condition. This means recognizing when to get treatment for hearing loss can be difficult.
So keeping an eye out for indications that your hearing may be going is a good plan. If you observe any, it may be time to talk to us about your first pair of hearing aids.
Hearing loss and hearing aids
Hearing loss is primarily managed with hearing aids. But that doesn’t mean everybody who has hearing loss will instantly need a pair of hearing aids. Hearing aids won’t always be practical in cases of minor hearing loss. As a result, we may want you to wait before beginning to use them. In addition, you might be directed to wear hearing aids only in certain situations.
In other words, the threshold for requiring hearing aids is not always a diagnosis of hearing loss.
But in many instances hearing aids will be the best option. Because hearing loss can be a sneaky and gradual condition, lots of individuals don’t get a diagnosis until there’s been considerable damage. Getting your hearing examined regularly is the key to catching hearing loss early and possibly mitigating the need for hearing aids.
So how will you know if you have hearing loss?
Indications you need a hearing aid
Hearing loss is one of those conditions that can create immediate communication problems. The funny thing, though, is that you don’t always understand that those communication difficulties are caused by hearing loss. So, when is it time for a hearing aid?
Look out for these indicators:
- You have trouble making out what people are saying: Many people don’t think they have hearing loss or need hearing aids because the overall volume they hear seems fine. But hearing loss is funny, it tends to impact specific frequencies before others. Because of this, things like vowel sounds in the higher register can sound distorted. This could cause you to have a tough time understanding what people are saying.
- You have a tough time hearing conversations in loud places: When people ask, “What are the signs of hearing loss?”, this one is almost always mentioned. If you have difficulty hearing conversations in noisy places, that’s often a sure sign that you have hearing loss. That’s because your brain has difficulty filling in the missing information that gets lost with hearing impairment. A lot of conversations get muffled as a result.
- Phone conversations sound muddled: Even the best phone speakers tend to flatten a voice. That can make it difficult to understand, particularly if you have hearing loss. Again, certain frequencies are cut out and the result is that it’s extremely difficult to hear those voices.
- The volume on your devices is getting really loud: If you’re always turning up the volume on your television or radio or smartphone, it may be the result of hearing loss. This is especially true if you keep turning that volume knob higher (and even more especially true if the people around you complain about how loud your media is).
So what should you do?
When you break a bone, it’s obvious what to do: you go see the doctor! But what do you do when you start to notice the symptoms of hearing loss? What level of hearing loss calls for hearing aids? That isn’t a very easy answer but you should make an appointment with us for a hearing test if you begin to notice any hearing loss symptoms. We will be able to let you know how serious your hearing loss is.
And if you do wind up needing hearing aids, a hearing test will help identify the best device for your hearing needs. This means you’ll be able to get back to spending quality time with your friends and loved ones, you’ll hear your grandkids when they call you on the phone, your co-workers at your morning meeting, and your friends at happy hour.
Call us for a hearing test so we can help you improve your quality of life.