What To Do If You Think You Have Hearing Loss

For many people, the idea of losing their hearing might seem like a far-off risk, but it is one of the most common causes of disability amongst all adults, and more likely to affect us as we get older. It’s especially likely to affect us if we regularly expose our ears to an unsafe level of sound. But what should you do if you think that you might have hearing loss?

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Get to the bottom of it

If you have any of the symptoms of hearing loss, such as having difficulty making out speech (especially when women or children talk) or having to turn up the TV on a regular basis, then there’s no point relying on guesswork. The sooner you get a definitive answer, the better. Arrange a hearing test and produce an audiogram that will be able to show you the entire range of your own hearing. If there’s no change, then you’re all clear and lose nothing, but if you do have some hearing loss, you can act on it right away.

Look for the right solutions

If you do arrange a hearing test, then it’s important to do it with the right people. Visit an audiologist, as they are not only able to carry out a hearing test, but they are medically trained to diagnose all hearing and ear conditions, as well as to prescribe the solutions you might need. In the vast majority of cases, a hearing aid is going to be the appropriate choice. However, there are many different styles suited to different levels of hearing loss as well as different lifestyles, so it’s worth choosing them with the help of a licensed professional.

Learn more about living with hearing loss

If you get diagnosed with hearing loss and start using hearing aids, it’s important to stay in touch with the audiologist or doctor who helped you fit them. There may be tips they can offer to make your life more convenient, such as recommending rechargeable hearing aids so that you don’t have to spend as much to keep them powered. It’s also important to learn how to take care of your hearing aids so that they last longer without issues like earwax build-up and moisture leading to malfunctions.

Protect against further hearing loss

If you are diagnosed with hearing loss, that doesn’t mean you have to give up. It’s irreversible in most cases, but you can still protect your hearing from further hearing loss. For a start, make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle if you have risk factors that make it more likely that you will suffer hearing loss. If you spend time working in loud environments, consider investing in custom ear protection to decrease the decibels that reach your ears, as well.

Learning more about hearing loss and finding out that you have it might seem a daunting process, but if you catch it early, you can mitigate the impact it has on your life greatly. Follow the tips above and be as proactive as you can.