Have you noticed changes in your or a loved one’s behavior? Do you tire quickly at work? Do you have trouble hearing certain words or phrases when you talk? Maybe you make the TV a little bit louder because you can’t hear well? These are the first symptoms of hearing loss. There is no need to panic or get upset.
Today both adults and children often have problems with their hearing. These are the specifics of our society, which lives in noisy urban agglomerations. Yes, the modern way of life greatly impacts our health. Our hearing organs are also negatively affected. The result of living in such places is a significant risk of getting hearing loss. Is it possible to live happily and actively with it? Is it possible to get your old life back? Let’s answer this exciting question together!
Is hearing loss a global problem?
First, let’s consider whether hearing loss is as dangerous as doctors say it is. According to the WHO, almost several hundred million people have varying degrees of hearing loss! It is a huge number, and it is gradually increasing. Hearing problems are among the top 10 most common health problems.
Have you noticed symptoms of hearing loss? You are not alone! People find it easier to accept their problems if they are universal. But often, a feeling of loneliness accompanies the hearing-impaired person. A person is embarrassed to tell others about the problem and keeps it to himself. The reason is the difficulty in communicating. People are afraid of being misunderstood. They gradually close themselves off from society by trying to lead a closed and lonely life. What does it lead to? People develop various psychological difficulties, including chronic depression!
Such behavior is common among patients with hearing loss from any country, no matter where you live. No wonder people are increasingly interested in hearing loss and psychological difficulties. Often these disorders go together.
Can I live happily with my hearing loss?
Hearing loss is a serious problem. It reduces a person’s quality of life. Dizziness, decreased cognitive abilities, and the development of psychological difficulties are only some of the problems. But it is worth noting the following fact. Hearing loss is not the only source of all troubles. A person with normal hearing can also have a lot of problems. This is reality, not fairy tales from childhood. Every person’s life includes ups and downs, joy and disappointment, happiness and despair.
Let’s make you happy! Millions of people have hearing loss, and millions are leading happy and fulfilled lives! Hearing care professional knows how to correct your hearing and make you enjoy everyday life again. There are many print and electronic materials available today for hearing-impaired people. They contain helpful tips to live a full life despite your hearing impairment.
Modern technology has also come to the rescue. For example, hearing aids are a unique combination of engineering and design. These small helpers restore your ability to hear and understand outside sounds in any acoustic environment. You’ll feel great in any situation!
Helpful tips for choosing a hearing aid
The purpose of hearing aids is to correct your hearing and make you more comfortable with the sounds around you. The devices reduce some sounds and amplify others. How does a hearing aid determine which sound to amplify? The Hearing care professional conducts tonal audiometry to find out how the hearing organs respond to sounds of different frequencies. The result helps to choose the power of the hearing aid and to adjust it after the purchase. Yes, hearing aids are individualized for each patient. You won’t be able to choose and buy them yourself. You can buy one and start using it, but you won’t get the desired results. In the end, you’ll probably be disappointed with your purchase.
Consultation with an audiologist is the first step to restoring hearing
Choosing and ordering hearing aids is a complicated business. Today you’ll find hundreds of hearing aids for sale online. They have unique characteristics, features, functions, and designs. How to determine what type of device and what features you need? Your audiologist will do it. Therefore, if you experience symptoms of hearing loss, do not waste time. It is better to seek help from a hearing care professional right away. The specialist will diagnose you, help to choose and buy medical devices and adjust them. Next comes a period of adaptation. Only after that, you can enjoy a clear sound in any acoustic situation.
What do I look for when choosing a hearing aid?
Leave the choice of hearing aids to a professional. Nevertheless, we recommend you pay attention to the following nuances. You should consider them when purchasing medical devices!
Degree of hearing loss
The duration, degree, and shape of hearing loss are important indicators when choosing the features of medical devices. The power and functionality of future hearing aids depend on it.
Age
Age determines a person’s level of need, ambient sound exposure, daily activity, etc.
The choice between mono and binaural prosthetics
It determines whether you’ll have one or two hearing aids. If your hearing loss is bilateral, it is better to choose binaural hearing aids. You’ll get the best results and help your brain to better perceive outside sounds.
Lifestyle and user needs
Schoolchildren and older people live in different acoustic environments. When selecting a hearing aid, it is worth considering which daily tasks it’ll handle. These variables are important and individual.
Patient’s wishes
Many patients consider the appearance of a device to be as important as its functionality. For them, the shape and size of the hearing aid, visibility, discreetness, and housing color are important. For comfortable daily use of hearing aids, it is important to pay attention to these factors and choose the model that best suits your lifestyle.
Budget for hearing aids
Decide on a price you can afford. The price range of hearing aids is wide. There are cheap and premium models. Fortunately, today’s mid-priced medical devices provide the excellent sound of the highest quality. When you buy expensive devices, you pay for additional features and capabilities, such as wireless connectivity to gadgets. Is it worth saving money? Not if your budget allows it. Your hearing health matters!
So, living happily with hearing loss is a reality. Millions of people live actively and happily without the hardships of the past. It is true only for those patients who are not afraid to undergo treatment and use medical devices. Wear your hearing aids every day and enjoy a world of sounds!
