Hearing Loss: A Personal Journey
Introduction
I’ve always had trouble hearing the first few words in a conversation. After a year of denial, I went to see my doctor and was diagnosed with hearing loss. It was shocking to me at first, but then I realized that it wasn’t
such a big deal—and being able to help others who also face this issue has made it even easier for me to accept my situation.
Hearing Loss: A Personal Journey
Hearing loss is a problem that affects many people, especially as they age. Deafness can be caused by a variety of things and the solution to the problem varies based on the cause. In this article, we’ll explore some of those causes and discuss some ways to avoid or treat hearing loss as you get older.
Of course, there are many different types of hearing aids out there; we’re going to focus on one type in particular: behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. These devices have become increasingly popular over time due to their ease-of-use and comfortability compared with other models that are more bulky or require surgery for placement (which can be costlier). BTEs work by sitting just behind your ear canal so that sound travels directly into your eardrum without having to pass through any other part of your body first (like bone). This means no distortion from going through tissue like skin—just pure sound!
The benefits don’t stop there though; BTEs also offer better noise reduction than other kinds because manufacturers put more emphasis on making sure users can hear speech clearly when it comes from nearby sources such as family members during dinner conversations at home instead
My Experience
The journey of fitting hearing aids into my life was not without its challenges. When I was born, my mother noticed that I had a hearing loss and brought me to our local audiologist for an evaluation. After several tests, it was determined that I had moderate-to-severe hearing loss in both ears and needed hearing aids.
I don’t remember much about the first time that I wore hearing aids—only that they were very uncomfortable and made a lot of noise when they were on. They also made me stand out from other kids because they were so big! Thankfully, technology has improved over the years so this isn’t a problem anymore but back then we only had one option: big bulky devices that fit behind your ear or in your ear canal (called receivers).
My parents chose to get me fitted with behind-the-ear devices called receiver inducers (RIC) because they thought these would be better than having something stuck directly inside my ear canal (RICs). Looking back now though, having something stuck directly inside your ear canal is actually much more comfortable than having something big sitting outside of it; however at the time no one knew this yet since RICs were just coming onto the market at this time too so everyone thought they were better options due their smaller size compared to traditional tube devices like those pictured above which could only fit into children’s heads because adults’ heads are too big!
What Can You Do?
If you have hearing loss and a hearing aid doesn’t work for you, there are other options. The first thing to do is find a hearing healthcare professional who can help you evaluate your situation and recommend the best course of action.
If the problem is with your ear canal, an ear mold may be required to keep the sound waves from being dampened by your outer ear (the part that sticks out) before they reach your eardrum. It’s important that this be fitted properly; if it isn’t, it won’t provide enough protection and will actually amplify noise in some cases.
If it turns out that an ear mold isn’t necessary (if the problem is with the middle or inner ear), there are other things to try:
- try different types of hearing aids (such as one-ear or binaural models)
- make sure all connections between each component have been securely fastened together
When to See a Doctor
- If you have trouble hearing.
If you’re having difficulty hearing in one ear, or you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves often, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
- If you have a family history of hearing loss.
Hearing loss can run in families, so if there is a history of it in your family (such as a parent who has had hearing aids for years), don’t wait until the problem gets worse before seeking help.
- If you have experienced repeated ear infections.
Repeated ear infections can lead to long-term damage and even permanent hearing loss if not treated appropriately. Also, keep an eye out for signs that could indicate other health problems like fluid buildup around the inner ear or fluid drainage from the nose—both of which could signal more serious issues than just an infection that needs antibiotics!
Hearing loss is not something to be ashamed of and there are ways you can get help.
If you are experiencing hearing loss, your first instinct might be to hide it. You might think that your family, friends and coworkers will see you differently if they know about the condition.
But here’s the thing: hearing loss is not something to be ashamed of! It’s common and it can happen to anyone at any time for any number of reasons. It doesn’t mean you’re old or weak or stupid—it just means that with a little help from technology, you can keep up with everything going on around you as well as anyone else.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a serious matter, and it can affect anyone at any age. If you are having trouble hearing, or if your friends or family tell you that they think something might be wrong with your hearing, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from seeking treatment because there are many different options available today for getting help with hearing loss problems.