The most important thing you can do if you think you have a hearing problem is to see a hearing healthcare professional. Your primary doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in the ear, nose and throat. An otolaryngologist will try to find out why you have a hearing loss and offer treatment options.
Your doctor may also refer you to an audiologist. An audiologist can measure your hearing. Sometimes otolaryngologists and audiologists work together to find the treatment that is right for you. If you need a hearing aid, an audiologist or hearing aid provider can help you find the right one.
Your friends and family can also help make hearing easier. Here are some things you can do:
- Tell your friends and family about your hearing loss. The more you tell the people you spend time with, the more they can help you.
- Ask your friends and family to face you when they talk so you can see their faces. If you watch their faces move and see their expressions, it may help you to understand them better.
- Ask people to speak louder, but not shout. Tell them they do not have to talk slowly, just more clearly.
- Turn off the TV or radio if it doesn’t have to be on.
- Be aware of noise around you that can make hearing more difficult. When you go to a restaurant, don’t sit near the kitchen or near a band playing music. Background noise makes it hard to hear people talk.
Working together to hear better may be tough on everyone for a while and will take some getting used to. But be patient and continue to work together. Hearing better is worth the effort.
Information provided from the Hearing Health Foundation.