When You Need Hearing Aids, is it Better to Visit a Hearing Specialist?

People are more self-reliant than ever. Want to remodel your kitchen? Simply watch that YouTube video. Want to unclog your sink? YouTube video. Attempting to learn cursive writing? Yup…you guessed it…..YouTube.

You can find any information you might want to learn and self-learning has never been more available. Does that mean you’ll never need an expert ever again?

Not always. Hearing aids are a practical example. Let’s picture that you develop a need for these handy little devices. Does that mean you should just drive up to the local pharmacy and pick up a pair of over-the-counter hearing aids? It sounds nice and easy (and gives you the impression of self-sufficiency), but there are some significant drawbacks. Actually, your hearing aids will be more comfortable and reliable if you come in to get a consultation with us.

What are the signs of hearing loss?

You may think that hearing loss symptoms are pretty self-evident. You are unable to hear as well, right? Well, yes, but the symptoms of hearing loss can be much more variable, and far less evident. Indeed, people often miss the signs of hearing loss because they don’t know what to watch out for.

Here are a few of the most common hearing loss symptoms:

• Having a tough time hearing when it’s noisy: When you’re out at dinner with friends and family, you have a hard time following along with discussions. This is usually a rather reliable indication that some degree of hearing loss might be occurring.
• Exhaustion and headaches: Typically, when you have hearing loss, your brain fights to keep up. It’s having to work extra hard to process information, it’s like squinting all the time, but with your ears. Exhaustion and chronic headaches can be the result.
• The constant need to turn the volume up: Is your television volume continuously going up? Well, that’s a sign of hearing loss. This one is often missed because it progresses slowly over a long period of time.
• Asking people to repeat themselves: You may frequently ask people to repeat themselves. Even if you feel like people are talking quietly, it’s actually hearing loss that’s the problem. If you start to come across a great many people who “mumble,” it may be your ears that are the issue.

Clearly, there are other symptoms of hearing loss besides these. Everybody’s hearing loss experience is unique. But you should absolutely come see us for an assessment if you are detecting any of these symptoms.

Why is a diagnosis helpful?

So, you have the symptoms of hearing loss. Perhaps you should go out to your local box-store and buy an over-the-counter hearing aid. Well, would you go out and buy prescription glasses without having an eye exam? It may work in some cases. But knowing more about your condition is really indispensable.

Everybody’s experience of hearing loss is distinct and complex. It’s not like someone just turns the volume knob in your ear. Instead, as stereocilia in your ear get damaged, you tend to lose your hearing in parts at a time, that is, you normally lose the ability to hear high-frequency or low-frequency sounds first.

And most people don’t even notice it. Compensating for these kinds of changes is something that the brain is quite good at. For this reason, it’s typically necessary to get a hearing exam. You might not even recognize you have hearing loss but a hearing assessment can uncover any you might have. This will also help you understand which frequencies you’re starting to lose (and because of this, you will be in a better position to control symptoms.)

Advantages of going to a hearing specialist

When you go and buy a hearing aid at the store, you’ll be doing your best to match what’s available on the shelf with what you need.

But when you visit a hearing specialist, your hearing aids can be tailored to your requirements. We will help you select the ideal device for your needs and we will tune it to boost the specific frequency that you’re having trouble hearing.

Here are a few other advantages to seeing a hearing specialist:

• When you have difficulty using or understanding how to use your hearing aid, your hearing specialist can help take you step-by-step through the process and make sure you comprehend how to get the most out of your devices.
• Your hearing specialist can help you set up the appropriate maintenance for your hearing aid, ensuring that your devices last for as long as possible.
• Programing your hearing aid more successfully is also something your hearing specialist can also assist you with. In order to get the best experience from your hearing aid, this is crucial.
• Certainty, that your device will be comfortable by getting a custom fitting.

Without the benefit of a hearing specialist, your hearing aid experience will most likely be less optimal, even if you do happen to select the best possible over-the-counter hearing aid for your symptoms.

Also, hearing specialists will be able to help you control your hearing loss symptoms. With the correct strategy, you’ll be much less likely to lose touch with friends or become isolated from your family on account of your hearing loss symptoms. You’ll be able to maintain those relationships. And that can be incredibly important.

Not everything has to be DIY

Getting help with your hearing aid doesn’t mean you are somehow less self-sufficient. In fact, it’s actually the opposite. Your self-sufficiency and independence will be increased by using the correct hearing aids.

Diagnosing your hearing loss, controlling your symptoms, and choosing the right hearing aids are all things that your hearing specialist will help you do.

In other words, if you suspect you have hearing loss, it’s time to give us a call!