The thought of living without one of the five senses is pretty scary. Thankfully, for the most part, they stay intact for most of a person’s life. Still, that doesn’t mean that they are as on point as ever, especially hearing. As you age, it will likely become apparent that your hearing isn’t as sharp as before. For many people, hearing loss can be uncomfortable and impact their lifestyle. If you don’t want this is to happen, then it’s essential to be proactive as possible by learning what to do when the signs appear later on.
Don’t play dumb
Making excuses is easy. Indeed, losing a sense is so scary that justification is the first go-to for many people. “It’s a buildup of wax” or “I’m just not concentrating” are the kinds of things you can expect to think and say.
But, if you know these statements aren’t true, there’s no reason to play dumb as it will only harm your health in the long run. Instead, accept the fact that your ears aren’t as sharp as they used to be and head to a doctor’s office.
The expert can start to evaluate your hearing and might suggest an audiology clinic to help with your hearing loss. While they might not be able to repair the damage, they can use technology to improve your hearing. Plus, the specialists can also inform you of ways to prevent the situation from escalating.
Buy a hearing loss aid
One piece of tech synonymous with hearing loss is a hearing aid. Thankfully, the specialists in labs are constantly updating the technology so that people with hearing problems don’t have to suffer any longer.
But, the only way to utilize the tech is to buy one. That seems like an obvious choice, yet people avoid them. For instance, they might not like the way they look or the impression they give off.
Once you do get one, try and keep it in good condition because a broken hearing aid isn’t useful. By cleaning it and removing the wax, it can last for a long time. As with most personal devices, it requires maintenance.
Turn down the decibels
As soon as you accept that hearing loss is a problem, start to alter your lifestyle. The main thing here is to lower the decibel levels.
Sound waves are a part of life, from listening to music to watching the TV. However, high-pitched waves can damage the middle and inner ear even more and cause further harm.
Yep, you guessed it – that means loud noises. And noise-induced hearing loss is rising. Don’t worry, you don’t have to eliminate noise from your life altogether, but do make sure it isn’t at levels that potentially harm the ears.
See the signs of hearing loss
This final point is the crutial one. After all, the above information is pointless if you can’t see the signs of auditory deterioration in the first place.
Common signs of hearing loss include:
- Speech sounds quiet or muffled
- Consonants are hard to hear
- Stay away from social environments
- Often asking others to repeat themselves
So, understanding that your hearing isn’t as strong as before is essential. To find out, get a test from a medical professional. But, if the idea of going to the doctor doesn’t appeal, there are several free ear tests available online. I simply searched “homemade hearing test” and found several options.
Whether your hearing loss is from age or is noise-related, seeing a specialist can help get you the treatment to be able to enjoy sounds clearly again. And that improvement can make for a much happier life.
#signs #hearing #doctor #technology #aging