The 5 basic senses are sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, and it’s safe to say that even though these abilities are crucial to our survival and function, we mostly don’t pay attention to how much we need to value each of them. It is a harsh reality that many people are either born or develop issues that can result in a loss of one of these vital senses, the one in question being the ability to hear. The problem with having hearing problems is that, unlike wearing glasses, people become more self-conscious when wearing a hearing aid.
However, technology has improved hearing aids, making them more powerful and often barely visible.
Not all ear problems necessarily cause hearing loss; some can affect our balance, spatial coordination, and sense of direction. Besides physical deterioration or damage, it’s also natural for hearing loss to accompany old age. As we age, all our senses become less sharp; most notably sight and hearing. Those cases are usually easy to spot. But unless you’re born with a hearing problem, then it may prove to be more difficult to determine when it would be considered a sign to visit a doctor to check if you do need a hearing aid.
To help you know whether you need to seek professional medical help, here are the most common signs that might need a hearing aid.
Inability to Clearly Hear People Talking
You might not be able to follow conversations or you may feel that people are mumbling. But before you rush to judgment, it’s important to know about noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). When exposed to a sudden or incessant loud noise, anyone’s ears can suffer. NIHL can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss in one or both ears. Temporary hearing loss can last anywhere between a few hours to a few days. If it lasts longer than that, you should see a doctor.
Hearing loss, on the other hand, is usually a gradual process associated with aging, so it’s not easy to detect it at the beginning. Unfortunately, hearing aids are expensive and many elders can’t afford one. However, a person’s hearing could be greatly improved by wearing an alternative hearing aid device. As the avid reviewers explained in https://www.grayingwithgrace.com/cheap-hearing-aid-alternatives/, you can find cheaper hearing aid alternatives that offer more affordable solutions to help improve a person’s hearing ability. Not only can hearing loss affect the safety and social life of an elderly person, but it can also push them to become more withdrawn because they’re not able to keep up with conversations, and this lack of interaction can promote unhappiness or depression.
One of the first signs to take into consideration that indicates a hearing problem is not being able to hear phone call conversations.
Head or Ear Injury
Injury to the head or ears could cause hearing loss. For instance, some injuries can cause Tinnitus, which is a persistent type of ringing in the ear that can affect your hearing at a later stage. If you’ve recently injured your head or ears, it’s better to get a checkup to be on the safe side.
Raising Audio Volumes
TV can become more difficult to follow. Raising the volume because of some external noise you have in the house is one thing, but raising it to the point that others in the house or even your neighbors are very uncomfortable with it, is another story. Chances are if the volume is too high for others, but not for you, you might need a checkup.
This also applies to phone calls. Another sign to take into consideration that indicates a hearing problem is not being able to hear people talking on the other line during phone call conversations, and feeling the need to raise the volume on your phone to hear better.
Higher Pitches
Children and women tend to talk at higher pitches and frequencies. Unlike those with good hearing abilities, people with hearing disabilities might not hear high pitched clearly. If you find yourself hearing male voices more clearly— because of their deeper pitch— but unable to make out what a female or child is saying, it could be a warning sign.
What’s That You Say?
If you have to constantly ask people to repeat a word or sentence, it’s another warning sign. Some people don’t talk clearly, so this sign should be witnessed over a few different people. If you’re having trouble understanding them all, then probably the problem is in your hearing.
Hearing loss can affect a person’s social life and wellbeing. NIHL can be prevented by avoiding continuous exposure to loud noise. However, other factors like old age and head injuries cannot be avoided. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult with a doctor who will recommend the best hearing aid that suits your budget. Using one will make your life much easier.
