You know you’re feeling cranky these days but you’re not quite sure why. Well, it was aggravating earlier today when you felt left out of the meeting at work. Your daughter got up and abruptly left the house after becoming irritated when you kept asking her to turn the TV volume up. Why would she do that?
Perhaps the real issue is hearing loss!
As you get older hearing loss can sneak up on you and over 40 million people in the US suffer with it. And the problem goes beyond just your ears. Research indicates that even minor hearing loss puts you at risk for memory problems, dementia, and even depression. What you might believe is just a sign of age, could actually be a treatable medical condition. Perhaps, your co-workers didn’t leave you out of the conversation after all, maybe you missed crucial conversational queues because you didn’t hear them. The fact is, if you can’t hear properly during your day-to-day life, it can become incredibly frustrating.
Learn more about hearing loss
Learning a little bit more about what you’re coping with is a practical place to start. Hearing loss does happen to many individuals as a result of the aging process. But for others, 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 heavy traffic, to mowing lawns and cleaning 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 source of hearing loss is chronic disease that becomes more prevalent as we 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 often take their hearing for granted, so when it begins to go they don’t detect the signs:
- Finding it difficult to hear words when there is background noise like a fan or the AC
- When individuals are having discussions, you continually feel excluded
- You’re always asking people to repeat themselves or even worse, saying ‘what’ a lot
If you detect any of these hearing loss symptoms, it’s no wonder you’re grumpy! Feeling detached from your world can cause depression and even social solitude.
Treating hearing loss
Start 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 might seem like a challenging conversation but it’s a very important one. A hearing exam should be the next thing that you do, particularly if people have noticed you having a difficult time hearing. Try to get a loved one to go along with you to your appointment. It can be helpful to have a calm and supportive presence 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 test, we will be able to determine your best plan moving forward. Typically, hearing aids will be a major part of the treatment plan. Don’t worry, there are so many options and features that you’re certain to find hearing aids that are perfect for your lifestyle!
Deciding on quality hearing aids
Everybody’s hearing loss is unique and we will help you decide what treatment will be best for yours. You will probably need to evaluate a few brands and models before you discover the best fit for your particular taste and hearing requirements. Today’s hearing aids do so much more than simply amplify sound. They can identify the direction that sound is originating from, block out background sound, and even connect to smartphones and computers. Different brands and kinds of hearing aids have different features, so research them to find out what features you need to improve your life.
Consider the style you want for your hearing aids, too. They come in various snazzy colors or with no color at all, so they are virtually invisible.
If you think you’re dealing with hearing loss, schedule 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/