In the US, there are fewer people using hearing aids, even though a lot of them require and could benefit from hearing aids. Studies have shown that, even if your hearing loss is mild, you still need some form of hearing assistance to help improve your relationship, mental health and work. This article looks at what is considered to be “hearing loss”, as well as some of the benefits of using a hearing aid to help with mild hearing loss.
What Counts as Mild Hearing Loss?
When you have difficulty hearing at 26-40 decibels, you’re said to be experiencing mild hearing loss. In practical terms, this might mean you have trouble hearing conversations amid background noise, whispering and ambient noise like water flowing in a stream. Rather than focusing on mild hearing issues, focusing on how hearing loss affects you in the long run and all your relationships is better and highly important.
Hearing loss isn’t seen as a mild issue to the individual experiencing it, as they tend to experience communication challenges affecting their work, school and most relevant relationships. For children, mild hearing loss can lead to difficulty making friends and developmental trouble.
Hearing Aids for Mild Hearing Loss
When someone who lives an active social and professional life experiences mild hearing loss, they are constantly making a continuous effort to hear the simple conversations around them. This process can be both demoralizing and tiring. Hearing aids are a great solution as pivotal tools for people in such situations. When hearing aids are used, individuals with mild hearing loss do not experience listening fatigue.
This enhances their social and professional lives, making interactions easier and less overwhelming. Another great thing about using hearing aids in such an instance is that you get to keep your brain active. Without using hearing aids, your brain starts forgetting how to what sounds properly, diminishing your hearing and speech comprehension.
The Ideal Size of Hearing Aids for Mild Hearing Loss
For those who hate the idea of always having something in their ear, technology has made the design of hearing aids better in recent years. Advances in technology and science have led to the design of smaller, sleeker hearing aids that are even easier to use. Many hearing aid models are available for those with mild hearing loss compared to people with total hearing loss.
If your issues are mild, your hearing instrument specialist might offer you smaller, invisible hearing aids. This is because you won’t require too much sound, which will demand less power. Also, you might not have to change your batteries ever so often compared to those with severe hearing loss.
How to Measure Your Hearing Level
No matter how mild your hearing issue is, it is advisable to monitor the progression of your hearing loss. The first step is to visit an experienced hearing instrument specialist for a hearing test. The test establishes your current hearing ability to track your progress or decline relatively easier.
One or Two Hearing Aids
To know whether or not you need a hearing aid, you need to know the cause of your hearing loss. Knowing the cause of your hearing issue allows you to decipher whether you’ll need one or two hearing aids. If your hearing loss is caused by trauma to the ear, an injury or excessive noise, you might need to use a single hearing aid.
The single hearing aid will strike a balance by allowing the affected ear to regain its hearing quality. On the other hand, if your hearing loss is caused by excessive damage to both ears, either due to age or health disorders, two hearing aids will be the ideal solution to regain your hearing. Using two hearing aids will enable you to achieve the full range of hearing you need to live comfortably.
Warning Signs You Need a Hearing Aid
There are certain signs that many people might miss but are immense signs that you need to visit a hearing instrument specialist. If you have a constant ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus, if you’ve experienced a head injury or accident, if you can hear people but can’t understand them or if you can’t work out where certain sounds are coming from, you might need a hearing aid.
No matter your situation, hearing aids enable better listening and improved communication. They help you focus by stopping background noise, which means you can join conversations, become a part of social experiences and regain your confidence. To learn more about Byron’s Hudson Valley Hearing Aid Centers, please contact us at 845-481-9267, 845-232-2147 and 845-481-9266.
