You know you’re feeling cranky these days but you’re not exactly sure why. Well, it was irritating earlier today when you felt left out of the meeting at the office. Last night your daughter seemed irritated 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. What’s the deal with that?
Did you ever stop to think that maybe you could be suffering from hearing loss?
Hearing loss is an issue for roughly 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And the problem goes beyond just your ears. Even slight hearing loss puts you at risk of depression, memory loss, and even cognitive decline, according to some research. What you may presume is simply an indication of age, could actually be a treatable medical problem. Maybe, you missed significant conversational cues and your coworkers didn’t actually exclude you from the meeting after all. Honestly, it can be extremely aggravating when you can’t hear during your daily life.
Get the facts about hearing loss
Learning a little more about what you’re coping with is a practical place to start. Hearing loss does happen to many people as a result of the aging process. But for others, it may be due to years of noise overexposure. Everything from the music you listened to when you were a teenager, to driving with the window down in heavy 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 sound that can deteriorate the fragile mechanisms that help you hear.
Long-term diseases that become more prevalent as we age are a potential factor as well. High blood pressure, for example, or diabetes can both interfere with blood flow, which can cause harm to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People usually don’t detect when their hearing starts to go because hearing is often taken for granted:
- You frequently say “what” and often need people to repeat what they said
- You regularly feel like you are being left out of the conversations
- Finding it difficult to comprehend words when there’s background noise like a fan or the AC
If you recognize any of these hearing loss symptoms, it’s no wonder you’re cranky! Depression and social solitude can be the result of feeling detached from your world.
Develop a plan to treat hearing loss
Start by asking a family member or a loved one if they have noticed you working hard to hear conversations or if you say “What?” a little too frequently. It’s an important conversation even if it’s a challenging one. If the answer is ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing exam should be your next step and will simplify things for you. Ask your loved one to accompany you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive person with you.
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 determined, we will advise the next course of action for you based on the results of the exam. Typically, hearing aids will be a major part of the treatment plan. Don’t stress, there are so many options and features that you’re certain to find hearing aids that fit your lifestyle!
Deciding on quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you discover what treatment will be best for yours. Take some to time choose the right brand and model for your needs, this may require testing a few styles and models. Today’s hearing aids do lots more than simply amplify sound. They can block out background noises, link to smartphones and computers, and even determine the direction that sound is coming from. Do some research to determine which brands and models have the features that will best fit your lifestyle and needs.
Consider the style you want for your hearing aids, also. They come in various snazzy colors or with no color at all, so they are practically invisible.
If you think you’re dealing with hearing loss, make 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?
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/