If you think that hearing loss is a condition that is impacting your life, you aren’t alone. About 20% of Americans report some degree of hearing loss, or approximately 48 million people. There are a number of different courses you can take, but the first step in finding solutions is to schedule a hearing test and seek out an audiologist that can guide you along your path to better hearing.
Accurate diagnosis and treatment is essential
Diagnosing and treating hearing loss is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and social lifestyle once your hearing loss begins to make itself known. It’s rarely the case that we wake up one day and know that our hearing is gone. Because our hearing abilities can fade slowly over time, your symptoms may have begun when listening became effortful and miscommunications arose. It may have sounded as though everyone you spoke with starting mumbling instead of enunciate their words clearly.
Quickly intervening in a decline in your hearing capabilities is the best way to get you back on track in your hearing life. As your ears become less able to hear every day sounds, the pathways established in communicating these sounds into meaning in the brain become less clear. It’s a matter of use, really. Think of it as a well-worn path. If often traveled, the path itself is the directional marker. However, if a path isn’t used as frequently, it becomes overgrown and more difficult to traverse. Giving our ears the opportunity to be connected as intended with our brain allows for less lag time in training the brain to adapt to a new way of hearing.
Visit a reliable audiologist for your diagnosis
There are many options for scheduling a hearing test; you can even accomplish this at a big-box store while you’re out shopping for milk or eggs. However, only an audiologist can give you a thorough examination and accurate diagnosis that you can be assured is medically sound.
Audiologists are licensed health professionals trained in evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance and other auditory disorders for people of all ages. They’ve undergone rigorous training and have committed a huge amount of their resources to assist people on their path to comprehensive hearing health. And because they are medical professionals, you can trust that what is being recommended is the best possible product or treatment, because their priority is your health rather than a sales target or moving a particular product off the shelf.
It’s not one-size-fits-all
Audiologists are educated in the most current healthy hearing technology and are dedicated to maintaining their continuing professional education throughout their careers. This goes a long way in ensuring that your treatment is truly the best available.
And a well-trained audiologist will work with you to find the best solution for you. Our hearing needs and our lifestyles are completely unique. Only someone with the breadth and depth of knowledge of the industry can help guide you to the singular solution for your hearing life.
A holistic hearing approach
An audiologist will not look only on your hearing and fit you with the most appealing hearing aid. They’ll give you an honest diagnosis and prescribed treatment that encompasses all of your medical health. Our hearing is an important sense at the forefront of our lives. For that reason, we have a tendency to look at it in isolation, where we can forget that all the systems of our bodies are connected and intertwined. An audiologist has years of training behind them that encourages a holistic view of our hearing. How is your hearing loss affecting and affected by the whole of your lifestyle and medical health? These are questions only an audiologist can answer.
Beyond hearing aids
Loss of hearing is not a quick fix. Solutions exist, but a quick hearing aid purchase without education, research and discussion is probably not the most effective route to take. Instead, an audiologist will take the time to work with you beyond your initial diagnosis and hearing aid selection. Because they’re so knowledgeable about the whole field of hearing health and communication disorders, they’ll be able to recommend or suggest additional treatments or programs that will continue to improve your hearing life beyond a quick fix. It’s an investment in yourself and your life.
If you are looking for an audiologist, look no further than Desert Valley Audiology! We are proud to provide audiological services to patients in the Las Vegas area. Contact us today for a consultation.