Whether you’re 20 years old or 60, having a conversation about your hearing is challenging and can be emotional as well. But if you have noticed that you’re having difficulty hearing, it’s a conversation that must take place. But what if you aren’t sure whether you’re developing hearing loss or not? Because it can happen gradually over time, it may not be a sudden change that you notice right away. At Platinum Hearing Aids, we want to help educate our patients about all things hearing, including the signs that you need to come visit our Detroit office. After an initial hearing test, if we find that you would benefit from hearing aids, we’ll take great care of you and your hearing.

Signs You Need to See an Audiologist

Repetition

It may feel like people are jumbling their words a bit more often than before, or that restaurants are getting more and more noisy so it’s harder to hear people now. However, it may be more likely that everyone is talking the same and there is a hearing problem developing. If you are consistently having to ask people to repeat themselves, or if it seems like people have begun to mumble more than usual, it may be time for a hearing test.

Last to Laugh

Do you have a friend who is always telling jokes? Even when the punchline is easy to understand, if it still takes you a minute to fully comprehend the joke, this could be a sign of hearing loss. Similar to reading, your brain can fill in letters and words here and there because overall it will understand the concept even if you skip over some of the smaller words. When you’re listening to a story or a joke, you may miss a word or two here and there, but it will take longer for your brain to make the connection.

Avoiding a Noisy Restaurant

Or any environment that you’ve had difficulty holding a conversation in, for that matter. Many people recognize that restaurants, concerts, or even shopping malls can be challenging places in which to have a conversation, but it’s when you have a hard time hearing or understanding what people are saying because of just a moderate noise level is when it’s time to see an audiologist.

Turning up the Volume

If everyone in your household is complaining about the sound on the TV being too loud, but you’re still having a hard time hearing what characters are saying, you may need hearing aids. Or if you have complained about the sound quality and everyone else thinks it’s fine, you could be developing a hearing problem. A visit to your audiologist for a quick test will determine whether or not you need hearing aids.

Ringing in Your Ears

Did you, or do you, go to noisy concerts? If you’re experiencing a ringing in your ears due to being exposed to loud noises over time, this could be a sign of a more serious problem called tinnitus.

If you have experienced one or more of these, give our Detroit office a call today. Our audiologists are passionate about finding a hearing aid solution that is right for you. Schedule an appointment today with a caring and professional doctor.

If you’re new to wearing hearing aids, you may have already noticed the challenges that certain temperatures can bring. In the winter, you’re constantly going back and forth between the outside cold weather and the inside warmth, which can cause condensation to form and damage your device. Even though the temperature may be slightly more consistent in the summer, there are other unique challenges to face. Here are some tips to ensure your hearing aids are safe throughout the Detroit summer.

Watch for Moisture

Even with water-resistant or waterproof hearing aids, it’s important to protect them from water and sweat that can harm the tiny parts of the device. If you’re outside in the heat, keep a dry cloth close by so you can protect them from sweat and keep them as dry as possible. You should also wear a sweatband if you are exercising. We wish you could swim with your hearing aid, but it’s best to take them out before getting in the pool.

Avoid High Temperatures

Devices that are left in high temperatures can eventually break down, so it’s important to avoid extreme heat as much as possible. When you are outside, take them out occasionally to let them cool and keep them in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.

Be Careful With Sunscreen

First, it’s important to not avoid sunscreen just because of your hearing aids. However, when you are applying lotion, consider removing the hearing aids first, and then washing your hands before putting them back in. The chemicals in the lotion can cause permanent damage to the device. This is especially important when using a spray sunscreen that you don’t have as much control over.

Bacteria

To fight fungi and bacterial growth on your hearing aids, use antimicrobial wipes to clean the device. This should be done regularly to prevent harmful contaminants from damaging the aids. Keep some wipes available wherever you are, so that if something should happen, you can clean them right away.

Traveling

If you’re planning a summer vacation, it’s important to plan ahead so that you can fully enjoy the trip. Be sure to pack some extra batteries, cleaning supplies, and a waterproof container that you can store the aids in when you’re not using them. Before you book a hotel, be sure that they offer accommodations for the hearing impaired, including visual cues for phones, doorbells, and alarms.

The audiologists at Platinum Hearing Aids want you to have a fun, worry-free summer! Use these safety precautions to protect your hearing aids and we hope you have a wonderful summer.