You know you’re feeling cranky these days but you’re not quite certainly why. Well, you did feel excluded earlier this morning when no one bothered to pull you into the meeting discussion at the office and that was annoying. 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. Why would she do that?
Perhaps the real problem is hearing loss!
Hearing loss is a problem for around 40 million people in the US and can sneak up on you with age. And the issue goes beyond only your ears. Research reveals that even minor hearing loss puts you at risk for memory issues, dementia, and even depression. What you may believe is simply a sign of age, may actually be a treatable medical problem. Perhaps, 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.
Discover more about hearing loss
Finding out a little more about what you’re struggling with is a useful place to begin. Hearing loss does happen to many people due to the aging process. But for other people, it might 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 heavy traffic, to mowing lawns and picking up leaves with that noisy leaf blower could contribute to hearing loss. The fragile mechanisms in your ear can be damaged by lots of noises in the world.
Long-term diseases that become more common with age are a potential factor as well. High blood pressure, for example, or diabetes can both interfere with blood flow, which causes damage to the inner ear.
Recognize the signs
People generally don’t detect when their hearing starts to go because hearing is frequently taken for granted:
- You always feel like you are being left out of the conversations
- You regularly say “what” and often need people to repeat themselves
- Struggling to hear words when there’s background noise like a fan or the AC
If you notice any of these hearing loss symptoms, it’s no wonder you’re grumpy! Feeling isolated from your world can cause depression and even social isolation.
Managing hearing loss
Begin by asking a family member or a loved one if they have noticed you struggling to hear conversations or if you say “What?” a little too often. It may seem like a challenging talk but it’s a very important one. If if they answer ‘yes’ then scheduling a hearing exam should be your next step and will simplify things for you. Ask your loved one to go along with you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive friend 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 determine your best plan moving forward. In most cases, that will entail getting hearing aids. You’ll definitely be able to get a set of hearing aids that will best fit your lifestyle since there are so many styles and options to choose from.
How to pick quality hearing aids
Everyone’s hearing loss is different and we will help you discover what treatment will be best for yours. You will most likely need to evaluate a few brands and models before you discover the best fit for your specific taste and hearing requirements. Hearing aids don’t simply amplify sound nowadays. They can block out background noises, connect to smartphones and computers, and even pinpoint the direction that sound is coming from. Different brands and types of hearing aids come with different features, so do some research to determine what features you require to better your life.
Consider the style you want for your hearing aids, as well. Some models have no color and are nearly invisible and other models come in dazzling colors.
Schedule a hearing exam with our qualified hearing specialists today if you suspect you might be suffering with hearing loss. It’s time to get out of that cranky mindset and we can help!
References
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-america/