Treating Your Hearing Loss Can Go Beyond Hearing Aids

If you have hearing loss, hearing aids are one of the most effective treatments available. They can result in a truly profound improvement to your quality of life. However, they are not the only options available. If you’re uncertain about hearing aids or simply want to try multiple approaches, keep reading. Here are some approaches that you could talk to your audiologist about.

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Auditory Training And Rehabilitation

Some people may be able to improve their ability to process and understand sounds. Auditory training programs are designed to do just that, especially in tough listening environments. These programs use a range of exercises to enhance listening skills. This includes focusing on recognizing speech sounds, distinguishing between different pitches, and improving speech comprehension. These are often provided as a means to help you get the most out of your hearing aids. They’re not used to replace them. As a result, you can have a lot more confidence in your hearing. Some audiologists offer personalized auditory rehabilitation plans to help you get the most out of your hearing aids.

Communication Strategies And Support

If you want help communicating with people, most of all, there are strategies you can take the time to learn. These can include lip-reading, using visual cues, and gaining confidence asking people to accommodate your needs. For instance, you can ask them to speak more slowly or face you when they talk. A lot of people experiencing hearing loss can also benefit from working with a speech therapist. These sessions can help you better communicate and understand speech, even without hearing aids.

The Power Of Music

Music therapy can come with a wide range of cognitive and emotional benefits. Learn more about how it is often used to help people acclimate to hearing aids. Furthermore, it has been shown that listening to and playing music can improve auditory processing skills. By stimulating various areas of the brain, you can help rebuild neural connections that have gone dormant due to hearing loss. Music therapy can also provide relaxation and reduce the stress that often accompanies hearing difficulties. It is important to address the emotional impacts of hearing loss as well.

Environmental Modifications

It’s not just your hearing that you can get help with. You can also adjust your environment so that you’re better able to hear in your own space. This can include adjustments that reduce background noise or improve acoustics. For instance, if you feel sensitive to background noise when adjusting to hearing aids, soft furnishings and soundproofing materials can absorb sound. On the other hand, you can also use assistive living devices to help you get better communication from your environment.  Technologies like FM systems allow you to hear directly through your hearing aids instead of from the environment, bypassing any background noise.

Not all of the treatment methods mentioned above will work for everyone. Talk to your audiologist, but take their guidance to heart. Work with them to find the treatments best suited to your individual needs.