Millions of Americans live daily with some degree of hearing loss. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 35 million Americans are impacted by hearing loss, as a result of old age, disease, noise and family genetics.
A reduction in hearing capacity occurs progressively, leading to embarrassment, stress, fatigue and strain from trying to effectively hear and comprehend conversations. The loss of those ‘little moments’ of laughter and connection that make life so special, shouldn’t be missed – and now, they don’t have to be.
Hearing aids are more practical and affordable than you may think, and with the help of a certified, expertly trained hearing specialist at Ocala Eye, the devices can be custom tuned for your needs and lifestyle.
How Do I Know if I Need a Hearing Aid?
Debilitating hearing loss typically occurs gradually over time. You may not be aware that your hearing capacity has declined
Some common signs of potential loss of hearing include:
- Muffling of speech and other sounds
- Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in crowded areas
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves or to speak louder
- Feeling tired and drained after long conversations
- Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio
- Withdrawal from conversations
- Problems interacting on the telephone
- Unable to hear birds chirping
- Friends and loved ones observing that one’s hearing has diminished
Hearing Aid Options
Today’s digital hearing aids are leaps and bounds ahead of those from the past. Most hearing aids today are small, with powerful batteries and come with handy options, such as connecting to your iPhone to hear phone calls and music in a more natural, easily processed way.
Older hearing devices amplified the volume on just about everything including wind, background noise, and coughing or laughing. Modern hearing aids possess a wide array of functions and options to help you hear better including:
- Digital signal processing
- Directional microphones
- Feedback cancellation
- Noise reduction
- Listening programs
- Wireless connectivity
Today’s hearing aid technology can help your hearing get back on track, allowing you to freely and easily take part in conversations and social interactions, ultimately helping you to savor those special moments with friends and loved ones again.
Ocala Eye’s Hearing Specialists
If you suspect that you have hearing loss, your first course of action should be to consult a licensed hearing specialist, like those at Ocala Eye.
Kate Maen is a board-certified Hearing Instrument Specialist with more than 23 years of experience. With expertise performing hearing evaluations, diagnosing hearing loss, and providing custom hearing solutions, our team can help you hear what you’ve been missing all this time.
