It is important to prevent hearing problems to maintain hearing health. It is also important to regularly take hearing tests to diagnose and treat any hearing problems early on to prevent them from getting worse.
Many people usually do not notice that their hearing is deteriorating. This is, of course, because they cannot hear themselves. However, there are some early indicators or signs that you can look out for to know if you are experiencing a hearing loss. If you notice the early signs, you can go and get your hearing checked for confirmation. If diagnosed with hearing loss, one of the solutions to the problem is wearing hearing aids. They can really help you to hear whatever is being said as if you have no hearing loss.
Below are some of the early indicators of hearing loss. If you notice any of them, get your hearing checked by an audiologist. A good audiologist should be able to conduct a standard hearing test so as to give you a proper diagnosis and to recommend a treatment plan or an intervention. As mentioned, one of the best interventions for hearing loss is the use of hearing aids.
Without further ado, here are the early indicators of hearing loss.
Social Indicators
When you start to lose your hearing, one of the ways you will start to notice it is that your social interactions will change significantly. For example, you may start turning up the stereo or the TV a bit too high because your hearing tells you the volume is low. This may cause those around you to become annoyed or frustrated with you.
When there is consensus among those around you that you usually turn up the volume a bit too high, then that is an early indicator that you may have a hearing loss. And sadly, even turning the volume up will not necessarily help you hear better. Most of the time, only professional hearing aids like Davidson Hearing Aids can help you to hear what you have been missing. This is because they are designed to cancel noise and make sound or speech clearer.
Another early social indicator that you may be having a hearing loss is when you find it challenging to hear others or follow conversations in public places. Trouble listening to others, asking people to ‘say that again’ severally, and having to lean infrequently are also early signs of hearing loss. Again, as mentioned above, professional hearing aids can help to cancel out noise even in such environments and to make it easier for you to converse normally.
Emotional Indicators
Many people usually do not embrace their hearing loss at first. The topic is usually very sensitive to them. However, those who do not accept that they have a problem usually end up leading frustrating and miserable lives. It is only when one accepts they have a hearing loss problem that can they seek treatment and find a solution to the problem.
Normally, hearing loss occurs gradually. This is why many people usually refuse to accept they have a problem at first. This is because to them their hearing is still okay. So they get annoyed when others find it difficult to converse with them, point out the volume is too high, or suggest they should get their hearing checked. This is understandable. However, if you are finding yourself getting emotional or irritated over statements that imply you have a hearing problem, this is a good indicator that you may actually have a problem.
When people start noticing that they have a hearing problem, they usually start avoiding situations where they could be found out because they get embarrassed or nervous. However, isolation usually solves nothing. The right step to take when you start getting emotional over suggestions of a hearing problem is to visit an audiologist for a hearing test. And if the test reveals hearing loss then a hearing aid can help you to stop feeling embarrassed about your problem and start regaining your confidence.
Medical Indicators
In addition to social and emotional indicators, there are several medical signs or indicators of hearing loss. For instance, those suffering from heart disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or a thyroid condition are more likely to have a hearing loss problem. In such cases, the treatment or management of the disease or condition usually leads to the hearing problem clearing up. Still, in such cases, doctors usually recommend the use of hearing aids while the condition is being treated or managed.
Another medical indicator of hearing loss is tinnitus. Those with tinnitus usually experience hearing loss. However, the good news is that many professional hearing aids such as Davidson Hearing Aids in Ottawa are usually made to also help those with tinnitus to hearing sounds better. They also help to reduce the distraction caused by the condition.
Some of the hearing loss indicators above may be new to you. Some of them might have just revealed to you that you may be having a problem. If you suspect that you have a problem you should visit a health specialist and get a professional hearing test. The specialist could suggest to you a number of interventions based on what they find. Talk to them about getting a Davidson hearing aid if they diagnose you with a hearing loss problem. The aid will help you to gain back your hearing and hear sounds and people talking just like before.
