The Most Common Signs of Hearing Loss You Shouldn’t Ignore
Hearing is deeply connected to other parts of our health and well-being. Hearing is linked to brain health, confidence, increased balance, stronger relationships, and a better quality of life. Even though there have been studies that show a strong correlation between good hearing and overall health, many people wait an average of 7 to 10 years before they seek help for hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss, the most common type of loss in adults, can be difficult to spot because it occurs so gradually. Familiarize yourself with the common signs so you can be proactive if you do have a hearing loss and visit a hearing specialist right away.
7 Signs of Hearing loss
- Lack of clarity. Does it seem like people around you mumble or don’t speak clearly? Hearing loss makes it difficult to hear with clarity, which can make it seem like others are mumbling, especially high-pitched voices such as women and children.
- Hearing in background noise. Multiple speakers, dishes clinking, music playing, and other background noise can make it difficult to focus on the conversation at hand. If you’ve noticed it’s harder to hear the person speaking when there is background noise, it could be hearing loss.
- Asking others to repeat themselves. Frequently responding with “What?” or “Huh?” can disrupt the flow of the conversation.
- Turning up the volume. You need the volume on the TV or radio turned up louder to hear comfortably, but other people complain it’s too loud.
- Listening fatigue. Feeling tired after conversations can be due to increased mental strain when trying to hear. If you have to focus just to hear what is being said you may be left feeling tired after interactions.
- Socially withdrawing. Avoiding get-togethers with family and friends can be due to feelings of embarrassment from not hearing the conversation well.
- Missing the quiet sounds. When was the last time you noticed the birds outside? The air conditioner running? Or your turn signal in the car? Hearing loss makes the world quieter and you may be missing these soft sounds.
Next Steps
If you or a loved one have noticed any of these signs, it’s time to have your hearing checked. At Hearing Solutions, we offer comprehensive hearing tests to identify hearing loss, so we can create a management plan tailored to you. Schedule your appointment in Louisville or Boulder today.
Hearing Aid Styles and How to Choose What’s Right for You
It’s estimated that over 28 million people in the United States could benefit from the use of hearing aids, but how do you decide what hearing aid is right for you? There are a variety of different brands and technologies that can help you to treat specific concerns, but there are a few main styles available. Here are a few of the most common styles, and some of their key features:
In-the-Ear (ITE)
In-the-ear hearing aids are fitted to sit inside your outer ear and ear canal. There are a few types of ITE hearing aids – some of them will almost completely fill the area in your outer ear, while some of them will only partially fill the area. They’re usually custom fit to be comfortable for you and are usually available in a color that can blend in with your skin tone. ITE devices can help with moderate to severe hearing loss.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-ear hearing aids are a very popular type of hearing aid. These devices sit behind your ear, with tubing that wraps over the top of your ear and connects to an ear mold that fits in your ear canal. Some BTE devices have rechargeable batteries, and some have disposable. These devices can be an option for most severities of hearing loss.
Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)
Hearing aids that are completely in the canal can be a very discreet option for many hearing aid users. They fit inside the ear canal, with some sitting so deeply within the canal that they’re referred to as “invisible.” In addition to being less visible, CIC hearing aids can also help reduce the amount of wind noise that you would hear.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-in-canal hearing aids are also sometimes referred to as receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) devices. They are very similar to BTE hearing aids because they have a microphone and processor that sit behind the ear and are wired to a speaker that rests inside of the ear canal. These hearing aids usually have a good sound quality and have more advanced technologies available in them.
Whether you’re just starting your hearing loss journey, or you’re a long-time hearing aid user looking for a change, knowing your options can help you decide on the best hearing aids for you and your life.
Looking to explore your hearing aid options? Call our office to schedule an appointment today.