Sadly, people living with hearing loss often report feeling isolated, anxious, and even depressed due to their hearing problems. And unfortunately, despite their suffering, many of those with hearing loss don’t seek out solutions that could provide better hearing.
However, it is possible for many of those who are experiencing signs of hearing loss to improve their hearing with hearing aids. In fact, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.
The first step in hearing better for most people with hearing loss is admitting to themselves and others that they have a hearing health issue. Oftentimes, people don’t want to admit that they are having difficulty hearing, even when they are experiencing many common signs of hearing loss.
Steps Toward Better Hearing
1) Hearing Testing
Getting your hearing tested is a great first step in hearing care. Visit a hearing professional or your physician and find out if you have hearing loss and what level of hearing loss you are experiencing. If you can’t see a doctor to have your hearing tested, you can still purchase hearing aids.
We provide an easy Online Hearing Check to help you gauge how severe your hearing loss is for the purpose of choosing a hearing aid that is right for you. However, please be aware that this hearing check is not an official diagnosis. It is simply available to help you in picking out a hearing device.
2) Try a Hearing Aid
Once you have an idea of your level of hearing loss, you can choose a hearing aid that works well for your hearing loss and lifestyle.
If you have questions about which hearing aid will work best for you, we recommend that you contact us at 1 (800) 804-0434 and we will be happy to talk over your hearing aid options with you.
We have a variety of affordable hearing aids available that can be ordered over the phone or online – no visit to the doctor required. They will be shipped directly to you.
3) Wear Your Hearing Aids Regularly
Using hearing aids successfully requires dedication to wearing them. Unfortunately, some hearing aid users aren’t dedicated to wearing their hearing devices on a regular basis, which means they don’t get the most out of their hearing aids.
If you only wear your hearing aids when you absolutely have to, it will take you longer to become accustomed to wearing them (there is an adjustment period with any hearing aid), and those who wear their hearing aids sparingly may also miss out on the many features their hearing aids offer.
It is more difficult to learn about your hearing devices and figure out how they can help you in specific situations if you aren’t wearing them routinely.
Once you receive your hearing aids, make wearing them a priority!
4) Talk to Others About Your Hearing Loss
Talk to the important people in your life about your hearing loss. Communication is a two-way street and if people are aware of your hearing problems, they can better help you to communicate by:
- Facing you when they speak.
People with hearing loss often have an easier time understanding speech if they are face-to-face with the person speaking to them.
- Having conversations in a quiet area.
Background noise can make conversations extremely difficult for hearing loss sufferers. Your loved ones can help you hear better during conversations by getting rid of as much background noise as possible while you are talking together.
That means turning off the television and any music that’s playing. If other people are talking, you may also want to hold your conversation in another room or in a quiet corner.
- Enunciating each word
To help you better understand, your loved ones will need to refrain from mumbling. It is important to speak clearly when you are communicating with someone who has hearing loss.
In many cases, it is possible to hear better if you have hearing loss!
If you have questions about how hearing aids can help, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Advanced Affordable Hearing team at 1 (800) 804-0434.
We are here to help you hear better, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.