Communication isn't gone, but it's beginning to go. Your spouse is complaining about having to repeat themselves time and time again. Smaller sounds of nature- the bubbling of a creek, the chirping of tree frogs at night, and the rush of wind, are virtually non-existent. The TV commercials are loud enough but the programs are hard to understand. You know you have an issue- and it's time to do something.
These are the signs of a moderate hearing loss. Things are beyond the small nuisances of communicative discrepancies. Now, it is noticeable at all times.
Most people begin to treat their hearing at a moderate or moderately-severe level, so if you've waited until now, don't fret too much. You are still a great candidate for hearing instruments. Moderate hearing losses are where the risks for things like Dementia and increased falls begin. This is also the point where people notice a degree of disability in their lives, and will gain the greatest quality of life change with their new instruments.
What should you look for in a moderate hearing aid? Moderate hearing aids are the most commonly fit, and therefore, tend to have the most options. If the hearing loss has relation to aging or noise exposure throughout time, your best option is a RIC hearing aid. If the loss is due to issues from childhood, some sort of custom option like a CIC may be a better fit. These are the two most popular hearing aid styles on the market.
Moderate users don't need to necessarily pay more than mild users, but moderate hearing loss can come with secondary issues, such as tinnitus or recruitment (the increased sensitivity to loud sounds), and if that is the case, you may be looking at something more expensive to address those secondary issues. Tinnitus hearing aids especially are often unavailable in the cheapest technology.
Moderate patient may or may not have lost sounds in their "acoustic memory". You may have forgotten the sounds of scratching paper, trickling water, or nature, and if that is the case, it may take some time to reacquaint yourself with those sounds. Be easy on yourself in the first 2 weeks. Your brain is getting used to the increased stimulation. If you are a glasses wearer, this could be relatable, as new glasses often come with a slight headache and over-sharpness for the first week.
Nova works with mild, moderate and severe patients every day. For more details about our products, click around the rest of the website or call us at 757-222-5991