The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) reveals that approximately 48 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss and wait an average of seven years before seeking help. Unfortunately, untreated hearing loss can lead to brain function loss, isolation and depression. However, you may read on to discover how to manage your hearing loss.
What Causes Hearing Loss?
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association reveals that different factors cause three types of hearing loss. For instance, conductive hearing loss is caused by wax build-up, ear infections, allergies and swimmer’s ear, benign tumors and ear scarring. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is also caused by congenital disabilities, head trauma, Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma, measles and scarlet fever. Mixed hearing loss occurs when SNHL and conductive hearing loss are both present.
How Do You Manage Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss management depends on the extent, type and configuration of hearing loss. Currently, there is no known cure for hearing loss, although you can adapt to it without affecting your life’s quality. That said, here are eight tips for effective hearing loss management.
If you suspect hearing loss, it’s important to schedule a visit with an audiologist for thorough hearing testing. These assessments will allow the audiologist to tell you the degree of your hearing loss and what treatments would be most successful for your particular needs and wants.
1. Embrace Your Hearing Aids
Thanks to technology, you can adapt to hearing loss with hearing aids. A hearing aid comprises a microphone that receives and converts sounds to digital signals. The amplifier then increases the digital signals’ strength which the speaker sends into the ear. Hearing aids offer benefits like dementia risk reduction and overall health improvement. However, it’s imperative to visit your audiologist to get the right hearing aid fit for comfort and functionality.
2. Use Additional Technologies
You may also leverage other assistive listening devices and methods to manage your hearing loss. For example, a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) helps transmit typed messages over telephone lines, while telecommunication relay services help you communicate through a human translator. Moreover, you may opt for hearing dogs, video relay services and instant messaging software for the best experience.
3. Learn Effective Communication Strategies
Audiologists promote communication strategies that ensure effective communication. For instance, you may leverage body language, eye contact and facial expressions to decide what someone’s saying. Furthermore, you can engage in face-to-face conversations and give your rapt attention for the best communication experience.
4. Don’t Skip Your Hearing Assessments
It’s imperative to attend your hearing assessments regularly to determine your hearing loss progression. Your audiologist will examine your ears for changes to your baseline hearing and adjust your hearing devices if necessary. They will also teach you how to protect your ears to prevent hearing loss progression.
5. Practice Proper Hearing Device Maintenance
Your hearing device is a valuable investment, making it essential to keep it in good condition. Therefore, you may wash your hands before touching your hearing aids and replace your dead batteries. By all means, take them to the audiologist for repairs and don’t use hair spray on them. Always remember that proper maintenance will prolong your devices’ lifespan.
6. Use Hearing Protection
You may use hearing aid protection if you work in a noisy environment or are exposed to high noise levels daily. Fortunately, you can opt for protection like earmuffs or earplugs to prevent further hearing loss escalation.
7. Join Hearing Loss Support Groups
Hearing loss support groups are excellent for interacting with others with hearing loss and building meaningful social networks. Joining one offers psychological benefits like reduced fear and anxiety and a sense of belonging. Besides, it helps you cope with hearing loss and learn about beneficial hearing aid technology. These support groups can take various forms, such as chats, internet forums and in-person meetings. Online support groups are beneficial to those who can’t attend local programs for specific reasons.
8. Don’t Be Ashamed of Your Hearing Loss
While you may not like to ask people to repeat themselves, hearing loss isn’t something to be ashamed of. Therefore, it’s helpful to inform your family and loved ones of your condition to help them adapt to your preferred communication method. Don’t avoid social interactions to prevent depression. Instead, it will be best to seek help from your audiologist to manage your hearing loss.
If you seek to manage your hearing loss to improve your life’s quality, you may visit GL Wyeno Hearing Specialists PC or call us at (402) 463-2431.
