Hearing loss is one of the most common health issues to affect us as we get older. It is suggested that over 50 million Americans experience some kind of permanent hearing loss. It’s not a condition that is restricted to seniors. Nonetheless, the over 60s demographic is at the greatest risk.
Even if your hearing health is currently normal, you need to prepare yourself for potential issues. And if you already experience some hearing loss, knowing how to react is key. This simple guide will explain everything you need to know.
How Often Should You Visit The Hearing Specialist?
Even if your hearing is perfectly fine, it’s important to see a hearing specialist annually. This is far more frequent than when you were younger. But that’s because the degeneration can occur quickly. Identifying issues early will give you the best chance of dealing with them in an effective manner.
Professional hearing examinations will include various steps. This gives you a comprehensive approach to checking your hearing health. The specialist will;
- Check the range of pitches you can pick up,
- Test your ability to follow conversations in normal and loud environments,
- Analyze your ability to hear different volumes of sound,
- Inspect the ear for abnormalities,
- Discuss any other issues you may experience, such as tinnitus.
Whether it’s to identify and manage an issue, or gain peace of mind doesn’t matter. Hearing examinations are vital.
What About If You Experience Noticeable Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is difficult for other people to notice. In fact, it can be hard for you to spot too. Especially as the brain will try to correct the issues itself. However, there are several telling signs to consider. They include;
- Turning up the volume on your television,
- Struggling to hear women and children,
- Missing telephone calls,
- An increased presence of tinnitus,
- Asking people to repeat themselves.
Some of those issues can surface due to other causes, meaning they won’t always be linked to poor hearing. Likewise, infections and wax buildups can cause temporary hearing loss that won’t necessarily cause permanent damage. Nonetheless, if you believe that there could be an issue, you should book an appointment ASAP. Waiting until your annual visit will only delay your chance to gain help.
Will Hearing Aids Be The Answer?
If you are diagnosed with reduced hearing, it’s likely that hearing aids will be prescribed. The type of hearing aid used will depend on your type of hearing loss, as well as the severity. Of course, your personal comfort and lifestyle requirements will influence the decision too.
Hearing loss can be split into mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Meanwhile, you could have Auditory Processing Disorder, sensorineural, conductive, or mixed hearing loss. As for hearing aid choices, there are several brands and models to consider. All of them have their unique features and setting, which a hearing specialist can discuss in detail. However, the three main types are;
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE),
- In-the-Canal (ITC),
- Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE).
When you receive hearing aids, it’s vital that you take care of them. The hearing aid batteries are of particular importance as a device without power is useless. You also need to keep them clean and dry while treating the tubing and other features.
How Will Hearing Aids Change Your Life?
If you’re expecting the use of hearing aids to make your ears work like they did 50 years ago, there’s bad news. On a brighter note, though, wearing hearing aids can allow you to pick up more sounds. In turn, this will significantly enhance your health and happiness.
In truth, the list of potential benefits is extensive. Some of the most telling features are;
- Enjoy more meaningful conversations with loved ones,
- Be able to watch TV alongside them,
- Hear emergency vehicles, alarms, and audio notifications,
- Remove the sense of social anxiety,
- Prevent and slow the effects of dementia.
Other rewards include drowning out tinnitus and hearing calming noises like bird song. It’s easy to forget how beneficial healthy hearing can be until it is lost. While it can take a few days to acclimate to a hearing aid device, the rewards of getting it right are huge.
Conclusion
The harsh reality is that there is a very strong chance that your hearing will become compromised with age. Even if it’s only by a small degree on the decibel scale, you must treat the issues ASAP. Aside from slowing further hearing loss, it will restore a sense of normality to your life.
Frankly, that’s the least you deserve, irrespective of your age.
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Hearing loss becomes the problem of both those with the affliction and the spouse. Though my husband has hearing aids, his loss is significant. However, he has to accommodate me with my monthly appointments for eye treatments for macular degeneration. I guess you would say, our losses are complementary – ha!
Bottom line, we have to help each other in the coping process. 🙂
That is so true, Marian! My husband and I laugh often about when we say back to the other what we think we heard them say! And we hunt for each other’s glasses almost daily. Aging is an adventure and having a partner to share it with a blessing.