I Think I Have a Hearing Loss - What Should I Do?

Hearing loss can feel isolating, however, millions of Americans face this issue, so you’re in good company. Experiencing problems with hearing may be frustrating, but you should know there’s always a solution, and understanding it is the first step toward reclaiming your connection to the world around you. There are steps you can take to tackle your hearing concerns and improve your life.

A good start would be to learn about the types and causes of hearing loss, and recognize early signs. The next step towards better hearing is seeking professional help.

What You Should Know About Hearing Loss…

Hearing loss is a worldwide known condition and affects people of all ages. What helps you understand your condition is knowing about the different types and causes.

What Can Be the Cause of Hearing Impairment?

There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.

• Sensorineural hearing loss: Caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, often due to aging or noise exposure.
• Conductive hearing loss: Caused by issues in the outer or middle ear, such as earwax buildup, ear infections, or structural abnormalities.
• Mixed hearing loss: A combination of both sensorineural and conductive factors.

Early Signs and Symptoms

Providing yourself with good care of hearing loss begins with noticing early signs of it. Look for any daily life challenges that might signal a hearing problem. One of the common signs is struggling to hear in a noisy environment. This is where you might ask people to repeat themselves often, or feel like sounds are muffled or unclear.

Other signs might also include the following situations:

• Turning up the volume on electronic devices to an unusually high level
• Withdrawing from social situations due to communication difficulties
• Feeling fatigued or strained after prolonged listening

If you experience any of these signs, it’s a good time to get help right away, as an early action can greatly improve your hearing health, and help you keep enjoying life and staying close to your loved ones.

Starting Your Journey Toward Hearing Health

Taking action to fix your hearing problems starts with knowing when to see a doctor and recognize the signs of the need to see an audiologist.

When to Seek Professional Help

These are the signs telling you, you might need a hearing check:

• You often ask people to repeat themselves or speak louder.
• It's hard to hear in noisy places.
• You hear ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in your ears.
• You've had ear infections, trauma, or loud noises.
• You have a family history of hearing loss.

In these situations an audiologist is your first best friend. Doctor will perform a detailed hearing test which finds out why and how much you can't hear. It shows your current hearing health and what treatments you might need.

Feel free to talk to your doctor. They’ve been through this journey with numerous individuals and will explain every step of the way. This is for you to understand the process and feel less worried about your future hearing and quality of life.

Pre-Appointment Prep

Although it may seem like a simple task, it’s important to get ready for your hearing health check. Before your hearing test, these steps will help you get the most from your visit with the audiologist. Preparing for your hearing appointment makes your visit more productive, which means you'll have a better conversation with your audiologist, and it will help you make the best choices for your hearing and overall health.

What to Bring

• A list of your medical history, including any medications you're currently taking.
• Information about any past hearing tests or treatments.
• A trusted friend or family member to accompany you and take notes.
• Your insurance information, if applicable.

Questions to Ask Your Audiologist

1. What type of hearing loss do I have, and what is the cause?
2. How severe is my hearing loss, and how does it compare to normal hearing?
3. What are my treatment options, and what are the pros and cons of each?
4. If I need hearing aids, what features and styles would work best for my lifestyle?
5. How much will any recommended treatments or devices cost, and what is covered by my insurance?
6. What lifestyle adjustments or communication strategies can I use to improve my hearing?

Hearing Tests and Evaluations

When you see your audiologist, they will do several hearing tests. These tests show how much and what kind of hearing loss you have. They help your healthcare team make a good plan for your treatment. Additionally, you can take a preliminary test on our website. Now, let's look at the different hearing tests and what they mean.

Understanding the Results

Pure-tone audiometry is a major test. You'll listen to different tones at various volumes and frequencies, and your answers are plotted on an audiogram, showing your hearing ability. This graph helps your audiologist find out where your hearing loss is. They can then decide what to do next.

Your audiologist might also do speech testing. This test is a bit more thorough and provides detailed diagnostics of your hearing ability. It checks how well you can understand spoken words at different volumes, and from that, gives more insight into your hearing loss. Based on careful interpretation of your hearing test results, your audiologist can create a treatment plan just for you. This plan might include hearing aids, assistive devices, or other help.

Treatment Options for Hearing Loss

There’s no reason to worry even if you've been told you have hearing loss. It’s the 21st century, and there are many ways to improve your hearing and life. From the latest hearing aids to advanced cochlear implants, there's a solution for everyone.

Now, hearing aids are the most common and the least invasive choice. They make sounds louder, helping you hear better. These devices are small, invisible, and, in case of EarRite, fitting to any external auditory canal to provide more comfort and exclude the feeling of wearing an aid.

Individuals with very bad hearing are mostly advised to the usage of cochlear implants. These devices send sound directly to your brain, bypassing damaged parts of your ear. Getting a cochlear implant requires surgery, but it can greatly improve your hearing.

There are also assistive listening devices for specific situations. Personal amplifiers, FM systems, and loop systems can help in noisy places like theaters. They make it easier to hear in tough environments.

Living with Hearing Aids

The best thing one can do for themselves is to understand that getting used to your new hearing aids takes time and patience. This new piece of equipment is not a new car or a new smartphone, but a device that’s about to help you connect with the environment as flawlessly as you were before hearing loss.With the right steps, they can become a part of your daily life, so it’s very important to wear them regularly to get the most out of them and help your brain adjust to new sounds.

Adjusting to Your New Devices

At first, the world might sound different or even too loud. And this feeling is absolutely normal. Your brain needs time to get used to the louder sounds. Try to be patient and wear your hearing aids as much as you can, even in places you know well. This helps your brain adjust quicker. You might feel some discomfort or need to adjust the settings at first, but feel free to work with your audiologist to make sure your devices are working their best.

Caring for Your Hearing Aids

• Keep your hearing aids clean and dry.
• Store your hearing aids in a safe, dry place when not in use. (hearing aids case)
• Avoid exposing your hearing aids to moisture, extreme temperatures, or strong chemicals.
• Schedule regular checkups with your audiologist to ensure your hearing aids are functioning properly.

Wear your hearing aids regularly and take care of them well, and you'll enjoy better hearing. With patience and the right support, you can navigate this new and enhanced chapter of your life successfully.

Coping Strategies and Support Resources

Dealing with hearing loss can be tough, but people with hearing loss have a normal lifestyle all around us. We’ve said before that millions of people around the world suffer from this issue and live happily with hearing aids. There are many ways to cope and keep living well. You can find support groups and communication tips to help you.

Communication Strategies

Good communication is the most important thing when you have hearing loss. so here is something you can do before you get your hearing aids:

• Ask people to speak clearly and face you.
• Look for quiet places to talk.
• Use lip-reading and gestures to help.

Support Resources

You're not alone in this. Ask around and look for hearing loss support groups and organizations. They offer emotional support, advice, and a sense of community. Also, talk to a hearing healthcare professional for guidance and services. Remember, dealing with hearing loss is a journey. With the right strategies and support, you can adapt and thrive. Use communication tips and find resources to overcome challenges and live a fulfilling life.

Knowing the causes, seeking early help, and learning about options are important first steps toward better hearing and staying connected with what's going on around you. You can still lead an active and fulfilling life with the right assistance, treatment, and patience, surrounded by those sounds and conversations that mean a great deal to you. But remember, help is available, and the journey to better hearing begins with a single step. As for that first step to be taken, feel free to do a hearing test on our website, and check out our high-end technology hearing aids designed at EarRite for your comfortable living.