It’s easy to forget how many of our favorite things in life are associated with particular sounds. Things like:
- Listening to your favorite song
- Going to the movies
- Enjoying conversation with friends
- Hearing your children or grandchildren laughing on the playground at Charles Park.
When you have hearing loss, these sounds can start to be taken away from you.
First Sounds Affected by Hearing Loss
A person with normal hearing has an audible range between 20-20,000 Hz. As you develop hearing loss that range begins to narrow and often higher frequency sounds are the first to be affected. These sounds can include:
- Birds chirping
- Children’s and women’s voices.
- Certain speech sounds like “s” and “h”
Additionally, it can be harder to understand group conversations as well as conversations that occur in places with a lot of background noise. Not only can this be frustrating for someone experiencing hearing loss, but it can take a toll on relationships as well.
Hearing Loss Impacts Relationships
When hearing loss disrupts your ability to understand speech it can affect your ability to connect with others. Struggling to follow conversations can leave you feeling anxious and depressed in social situations.
Suddenly going out to dinner or your friend’s birthday party sounds less fun and more exhausting. You may start to isolate from others rather than continue to put yourself in situations that make you feel uncomfortable. This can ultimately hurt your relationships and accelerate your hearing loss.
Hearing Aids Can Help You Hear Sounds You’ve Missed
It’s important to make an appointment for a hearing test at the first sign of hearing loss. The earlier the condition is diagnosed the better the treatment outcomes will likely be. In most cases of hearing loss, your audiologist will recommend hearing aids.
While hearing aids might not restore your hearing to exactly the way it was prior to hearing loss, they can vastly improve your ability to understand speech and other sounds. Those who decide to treat their hearing loss experience:
- Lower levels of depression and anxiety
- Improved balance
- Better physical health
- Improved ability to focus
- Increased social interactions
- Better relationships with others
If you are concerned about your hearing, don’t delay. Call Aaron's Hearing Aid & Audiology Center and schedule an appointment today.