Recognizing when you require some medical advice is normally fairly easy. You know you need to go to the doctor right away if you break your leg, for instance. You might need a splint or a cast or supportive device, but the point is that you’re unlikely to try “toughing it out”. If you want your bones to mend correctly, you need to get them treated as soon as possible.
But with regard to hearing aids, it isn’t always so simple to identify when it’s time to get some help. Hearing loss normally progresses really gradually over time. This means it’s not always easy to know when you may need to begin using hearing aids or to delay finding treatment you know could be beneficial.
That’s why it’s a good plan to watch out for some specific signposts that you might be losing your ability to communicate. If you notice any, it may be time to consult us about your first set of hearing aids.
Hearing aids and hearing loss
Hearing aids are the main form of treatment for hearing loss. But everyone who has some level of hearing loss won’t automatically need hearing aids. Hearing aids won’t always be beneficial in cases of minor hearing loss. Consequently, we might want you to wait before starting to use them. In addition, you may be instructed to wear hearing aids only in particular situations.
Essentially, the threshold for requiring hearing aids is not always a diagnosis of hearing loss.
However, hearing aids will be the ideal solution in many cases. Many individuals won’t have their hearing loss diagnosed until it becomes more serious because hearing loss progresses gradually and frequently goes undetected for a while. Getting your hearing examined regularly is the key to catching hearing loss early and possibly mitigating the need for hearing aids.
And if that’s the situation, you’re most likely thinking: how can I tell if I need hearing aids?
Indications you need a hearing aid
Instant communication problems can be the result of hearing loss. The curious thing, though, is that you don’t always realize that those communication obstacles are due to hearing loss. So, when is it time for a hearing aid?
Here are some of the common signs you should look out for:
- You can’t understand people on the phone: Even the best phone speakers tend to flatten a voice. That can make it tough to understand, especially if you have hearing loss. Once again, specific frequencies are cut out and the outcome is that it’s very hard to hear those voices.
- When people talk, you can’t always make out what they said: Many people don’t think they have hearing loss or need hearing aids because the overall volume they hear seems fine. But the thing about hearing loss is that particular frequencies of sound often go before others. Due to this, things like vowel sounds in the higher register can sound distorted. Consequently, you may have a difficult time understanding what people are saying to you.
- You have a tough time following conversations in noisy places: When people ask, “What are the signs of hearing loss?”, this one is almost always mentioned. If you have difficulty hearing conversations in noisy places, that’s usually a sure sign that you have hearing loss. This happens because your ears are not getting as much information as they used to, and your brain isn’t really capable of filling in the gaps as easily. A lot of conversations get muddled because of this.
- You listen to the radio or TV at really loud volumes: Hearing loss could be the culprit if you continually need to turn the volume of your devices up. This is especially true if you keep moving that volume knob higher (and even more especially relevant if the people around you complain about how loud your media is).
So what should you do?
When you break a bone, it’s clear cut what to do: you go see the doctor! But what about when you detect these indications that you might need a hearing aid? What degree of hearing loss requires hearing aids? That’s not a very easy answer but you should schedule an appointment with us for a hearing test if you start to experience any hearing loss symptoms. We will be able to inform you about how serious your hearing loss is.
And if you do end up needing hearing aids, a hearing exam will help identify the best device for your hearing needs. This means you’ll be able to get back to spending quality time with your friends and loved ones, you’ll hear your grandkids when they give you a call, your co-workers at your morning meeting, and your friends at the pub.
Call us for a hearing test so we can help you improve your quality of life.
