Hearing loss often begins with slight, almost unperceivable changes that can be easy to overlook. Often, it is loved ones who are the first to recognize and bring attention to a person’s hearing trouble. While hearing exams are a routine part of childhood, many adults tend to overlook this crucial checkup, unlike regular eye exams that are often prioritized.
Signs You May Need a Hearing Test
There are lots of everyday instances where you might not be hearing everything and definitely not hearing what others are.
- Are you frequently asking people to repeat what they said?
- Are you noticing yourself turning up the volume on your TV?
- Does background noise in a loud restaurant make it harder to hear and comprehend conversations?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life causing disputes?
These kinds of scenarios can happen on a daily basis and continue to impact relationships.
Important Benefits of Scheduling Routine Hearing Assessments
According to the guidelines provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are recommended to have a hearing assessment every 10 years before reaching the age of 50. For adults aged 50 and above, it is recommended to have a hearing screening every 3 years.
1. Genetics
If your family members are dealing with hearing troubles, it is a good idea to book a hearing examination with an expert specializing in hearing health.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By understanding your hearing ability in each ear, you can determine potential problems or areas for improvement.
There are sounds you may not be hearing and impairments that might require further evaluations or treatments.
3. Helps Measure Future Changes
Every new test will compare new information with previous assessments. Some changes occur gradually, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you can’t.
4. Helps Diagnose and Treat Early Issues
New tests monitor changes and how rapidly they are happening, which can help identify and treat issues early, such as an accumulation of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Diagnose Medical Conditions
In some scenarios, hearing loss can be an indicator of a more serious root health problem, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease, all of which have been linked to hearing issues and tinnitus. Treating the root medical conditions that are causing it could potentially reduce hearing loss.
6. Minimize Additional Harm
When a patient is without treatment, they can become depressed and fear social settings, inviting isolation and more depression. Elderly people experiencing hearing troubles may be at an increased risk of experiencing injuries as a result of their inability to hear warning signals including car horns, smoke alarms, and other warning sounds. In addition, neglected hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
You might have wondered if you’re dealing with some amount of hearing impairment. You now have the information you need, including the awareness that hearing aids can have a positive impact on multiple areas of your life, enhancing not only your ability to hear, but also your relationships with loved ones, colleagues, and social circle.
Once your hearing loss is treated with the appropriate hearing aids, you’ll be able to hear more efficiently during conversations or work meetings, or simply listen to your child’s laughter or a family member’s voice.
Reach out to us to arrange a hearing evaluation or if you’re concerned that you may be experiencing hearing difficulties.
