How a Hearing Specialist Can Help You Manage Your Hearing Loss
Straining to hear what people are saying? You could have a hearing impairment. However minor or severe the problem may be, you should know that there are listening devices to help. Hearing specialists in Toronto have the training and experience to help you regain your hearing.
Whether this is your first experience experiencing hearing loss or you already have hearing aids, you can schedule audiometric testing or a hearing aid evaluation with a hearing specialist to determine the problem.
Gone are the days of ugly hearing aids. Today’s hearing instruments are stylish and often so tiny that they’re virtually invisible. Hearing loss affects your safety, so don’t ignore the problem, as it will only get worse. The right hearing aids can help you to get back to doing all the things you love.
Wearing Hearing Aids
There is inherent value in wearing hearing aids as it pertains to the overall quality of life. Yet despite the tangible and intangible attributes of these medical devices, it may come as a surprise that as many as 50% of the people who need hearing aids either do not or will not wear them.
Unlike people who may not be aware that they have medical conditions, such as elevated blood sugars or high blood pressure, this statistic relates to those individuals who have confirmed hearing loss based on professional testing at a hearing center by hearing specialists.
While people may willingly wear their prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to drive a car, watch television, or participate in sporting activities, the same attitude is not necessarily applicable to hearing aids.
Common Hearing Aid Concerns that Patients Have
There are several reasons individuals with diagnosed hearing loss will not utilize the hearing aids recommended or provided by specialists at hearing centers in Toronto or elsewhere across North America. In some instances, people decline to have hearing aids for one or more of the following reasons:
- Cost or possible lack of insurance coverage
- Personal denial about their hearing loss
- Perception of minimal benefit or lack of value
- The stigma associated with wearing hearing aids
Furthermore, there are several reasons why those who move forward with obtaining hearing aids from a professional center do not use or wear their devices. Here are the most common, in no particular order:
- Challenges adapting or adjusting to new sounds
- Challenges adapting or adjusting to new sound volumes
- Ear discomfort or tenderness from improper fit
- Feedback noise or whistling
- Incorrect settings to the level of hearing loss
- Incorrect settings to eliminate background noise
- Lack of patience or frustration with multiple adjustments
- Vanity or appearance – the size and visibility of the hearing aids
- Maintenance requirements
- Challenges with vision and manual dexterity
While any of the above reasons might have some validity of its own, an improvement in one’s hearing and quality of life should be of paramount importance.
With the support and counselling of the hearing specialists at Bravo Hearing Centre, individuals who require the use of these devices can overcome most, if not all, of the above-noted issues or concerns.
Finding the Right Hearing Specialists
Many people go through life without proper hearing healthcare. Selecting the right hearing specialists is the best way to ensure you’ll get the right hearing aid and the exact type of care you need. Having a hearing loss is not only a threat to your safety, but it can also prevent you from leading a healthy and active life. Take your time to find the right hearing professional.
How to Choose the Right Hearing Specialist
- Talk to Your Doctor – If you have been straining to hear conversations or only seem to hear bits of it, ask your doctor or primary caregiver about it. If they determine your hearing problem is not from an easily solved medical condition, such as an infection, they will recommend a list of hearing specialists in your area.
- Ask for Recommendations – Family and friends are a great source of information. Ask them to recommend hearing specialists they might have consulted. These referrals offer an insight into the kind of service you can expect, will save you time, and assist you in finding an excellent hearing professional.
- Try Support Groups – Support groups for people with hearing loss are another valuable resource for finding hearing specialists.
- Read Online Reviews – When looking for hearing specialists in your area, browse the online reviews. Visiting the website and Facebook pages can give you a lot of information about companies and their relationship with clients. You will also get a chance to view the credentials of the hearing specialists.
- Look for a Range of Services – Only consult hearing specialists that are familiar with a wider variety of hearing aids or instruments since they are better equipped to meet your needs. They are also more likely to have the latest hearing aid technology available for you.
- Ask Us – If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Whether it is evaluating your hearing, providing treatment recommendations, servicing your hearing aids, or offering follow-up care, the hearing specialists at Bravo Hearing Centre are here to take care of you and make you feel comfortable.
Important Questions to Ask Your Hearing Specialist
When you notice that your hearing is not as good as it used to be, it’s time to have it tested by a hearing specialist. Upon getting your test results, be sure to ask these critical questions to understand both your health and what the next steps are.
What Type of Hearing Loss Do I Have?
There are three types of hearing loss, so understanding which type is affecting you will help you make informed treatment decisions and protect your remaining hearing. The different varieties are as follows:
- Sensorineural – This is caused by damage to your inner ear or the nerves that run from your inner ear to your brain. This type is often permanent and can usually be treated effectively with hearing aids.
- Conductive – This type of hearing loss is often due to wax blockage, fluid in the middle ear, a middle ear infection called otitis media, perforation of the tympanic membrane, or otosclerosis, an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear. It is the most frequent cause of middle-ear hearing loss in young adults.
- Mixed – This is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. You may be affected by one or both types, so it’s important to learn what is causing the issue.
Do I Need A Hearing Aid in Both Ears?
If your hearing test shows moderate or higher hearing impairment on both ears, you will most likely be recommended to wear two hearing aids. The benefits of binaural hearing aid amplification are better sound localization, improved speech legibility, especially in background noise and in multi-talker environments, and prevention of auditory deprivation in the unaided ear. If you are among those who require two hearing aids, you are part of the vast majority, as 9 out of 10 patients need this.
How Often Will My Hearing Aids Need to Be Checked or Adjusted?
Hearing aids are precision medical devices and may require a few adjustments to be best suited for you. Each clinic will have different methods for following up with patients for adjustments and check-ins, so be sure to ask.
If I Am Not Satisfied with My Hearing Aids, What Can I Do?
Some hearing centers may offer a trial period when they fit you for your hearing aid. Find out if your clinic offers this so you have the chance to see how the devices work for you.
Our Hearing Specialists Can Help You Manage Hearing Loss
Bravo Hearing Centre offers a complete range of hearing aids, accessories, and related services, including professional counselling with our certified hearing specialists. For more information on the services and solutions we provide, please contact us at 647-694-4626.
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