How To Come to Terms With Your Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a common condition. In fact, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that approximately 15% of American adults aged 18 and older have at least some trouble hearing.

While it can be difficult at first to come to terms with your hearing loss, there are several steps you can take to make it easier.

Recognize the Early Signs of Hearing Loss

Older man drinking coffee and looking out his window.

You can’t come to terms with your hearing loss if you don’t realize there’s a problem. For many people, hearing loss comes on gradually with age. It can happen so slowly that you might not even realize you have an issue for quite some time. By knowing the early signs, you can reach out to an audiologist or medical provider as soon as you notice a problem. Signs include:

Voices and other noises sound muffled
You have trouble following conversations in places with lots of background noise or multiple people talking at once
You experience a ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
You’re frequently asking others to repeat themselves
You need to turn the volume up on the TV or radio louder than usual
Family members or friends have commented on your hearing

Get a Hearing Test

Once you or someone else close to you has noticed a problem, the best thing to do is to schedule a hearing test. These exams can determine the cause and degree of your hearing loss, as well as what particular frequencies you struggle with. If permanent hearing loss is found, your audiologist will discuss your treatment options.

Choose the Right Hearing Aid for You

Hearing aids are the most common form of hearing loss treatment. Today’s hearing aids come in a variety of different styles and sizes. It’s important to discuss with your audiologist what your preferences are, as well as your hobbies, work and home life and other individual factors that can help inform them as to what type might be best for you. Once you adjust to your hearing aids, you’ll be able to fully enjoy all of the benefits. They will allow you to follow along better during work meetings, enjoy listening to your favorite songs, and engage in lively conversation with friends at La Bella Pizza without your hearing loss getting in the way.

Talk About Your Hearing Loss With Others

Even though hearing aids help keep you connected, you may still have some complicated emotions around being diagnosed with hearing loss. Talking about how you feel with your family, friends or even a counselor or support group can be incredibly helpful in terms of accepting your new way of hearing. It also allows you to go over helpful communication strategies with those in your life so that listening can be easier in any environment.

If you would like more information or are ready to schedule an appointment with one of our hearing specialists, call Advanced ENT & Allergy today.