Living with hearing loss can be difficult, especially if left untreated. Asking others to repeat themselves is sometimes a sign you might have hearing loss and benefit from wearing hearing aids. Or maybe you already have hearing aids and you’re still needing to ask others to repeat themselves. This could be due to needing to turn the volume up on your hearing aids to the best setting for your hearing or needing to clean them.
Whether you suspect you might have hearing loss or already have hearing aids, find out some key things you can do if you find yourself having a hard time hearing people.
4 Tips If You Find Yourself Asking Others To Repeat ThemselvesIf you’re asking people to repeat themselves due to having a hard time hearing what they are saying, there are four things you can do:
1. Explore OTC Hearing Aids
Is it difficult for you to understand what people are saying in loud places with a lot of background noise? This might include at a noisy restaurant or coffee shop, at a dinner party with friends, at family gatherings, or on public transportation. If so, OTC hearing aids can potentially help you hear more clearly. They don’t require a visit to a hearing healthcare professional or any type of doctor and they don’t require a prescription. If you’re 18 years old or older, you could purchase OTC hearing aids.
2. Consult with a Hearing Healthcare Professional
Consider consulting with a hearing healthcare professional if you’re having trouble hearing people speak even in quiet environments. This could be while checking out at the grocery store, at the library, at a quiet cafe, or at home talking with a loved one or friend. A hearing healthcare professional can provide you with a comprehensive hearing evaluation and a detailed understanding of your hearing health.
3. Adjust Your Hearing Aids Settings
If you already have hearing aids and are asking that people repeat themselves, make sure the volume is on the best setting for your hearing needs. The volume on Nano OTC hearing aids can easily be adjusted with the push of a button to cycle the volume up or down. It might be time to turn the volume up to a new setting if you’re having a more difficult time hearing conversation.
4. Make Sure Your Hearing Aids Are Clean
It’s important to clean your hearing aids often for the best hearing results. Consider cleaning your hearing aids if you are having a hard time hearing people even when wearing your hearing aids.
To clean your Nano OTC hearing aids:
- Remove the dome (if using) from the hearing aid tip
- Use a dry cloth or alcohol wipe to clean the body of the hearing aid
- Use a hearing aid brush or a dry cloth to gently remove debris and wax from the tip of the hearing aid (it’s important to have the ear tip free of wax or debris as blockage may result in feedback or limited sound)
- Change the wax guard (if wearing a CIC model) if unable to remove wax from the tip of the hearing aid
- We recommend changing the dome every three months. (However, change the dome sooner if it’s stiff, brittle, or discolored)
- After cleaning your hearing aid, securely connect the dome to the tip of the hearing aid
In addition to having a difficult time understanding people in quiet and/or loud environments, many other symptoms can be associated with hearing loss. These symptoms can range from mild to moderate and severe.
Symptoms of Perceived Mild To Moderate Hearing LossYou might have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss if you experience any of the below:
- Trouble hearing conversations in noisy places and with a lot of background noise or loud sounds
- Feeling tired from listening
- Finding it difficult to follow conversations and hear people in group settings
- Difficulty hearing someone on the phone
- Needing to turn up the volume on the TV or radio, even if others say that it’s loud
You might have severe hearing loss if you have the below symptoms:
- Difficulty hearing conversations
- Unable to hear sounds or finding it very difficult to hear sounds, including loud noises (even in quiet environments)
- You might find yourself reading lips as a result of your hearing loss
Hearing loss is never convenient and can occur at any time in life. It can also affect just one ear or both ears. There are many reasons why hearing loss can occur, including:
- Age related hearing loss (presbycusis)
- Noise-induced hearing loss (from headphones or working at loud jobs, such as construction)
- Earwax blockage
- Ear infections
- Genetics
- Head injury or trauma
- Ototoxic medications (drugs that damage hearing)
- Chronic diseases (such as diabetes or hypertension)
- Meniere's disease
- Tumors (acoustic neuroma)
- Autoimmune diseases
- Malformation of the inner ear
- Viral or bacterial infections (such as meningitis)
- Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Ear injuries or perforated eardrum
- Ear canal obstructions (such as foreign objects)
- Radiation therapy to the head or neck
- Neurological conditions (such as multiple sclerosis)
You might need hearing aids if you’re experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, including asking others to repeat themselves. OTC hearing aids could help your hearing if you suspect you have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids don’t require a prescription or a visit to a hearing healthcare professional. If you’re 18 years old or older and have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, you can purchase OTC hearing aids.
However, you should schedule a consultation with a hearing healthcare professional if you think you might have severe/profound hearing loss. They can conduct various hearing tests to determine the severity of your hearing loss, causes, and next steps for treatment, which could include prescription hearing aids.
OTC Hearing Aids For Perceived Mild To Moderate Hearing Loss
Many people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss have found it beneficial to wear hearing aids that are OTC, as they can be a great solution for improving hearing. These FDA-regulated devices don't need a prescription, hearing exam, or doctor's appointment. You can try them in the comfort of your home, and you can adjust the volume to suit your specific needs. With Nano OTC hearing aids, you simply pick the best dome size for your ears, turn them on, and put them in. Keep in mind it might take several days or weeks for your ears and brain to get used to them, which is why Nano OTC Hearing Aids come with a 45-day money-back guarantee and free 24/7 lifetime support.
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