Hearing loss frequently starts out with mild, almost unperceivable changes that can be easy to miss. Actually, it is normally family and friends who tip off somebody to their hearing problem. While hearing exams are a routine part of childhood, many adults tend to neglect this important checkup, unlike regular eye exams that are often prioritized.
Clues You May Need a Hearing Test
All through the day, there are many occasions when you might miss certain things and especially not hear the same things as other people.
- Do you often request people to repeat what they said?
- Do you notice that you are boosting the volume on your TV?
- Is it harder to understand everybody at a noisy restaurant?
- Are there misunderstandings at work or at home leading to disagreements?
Such episodes can take place frequently and have a lasting impact on interpersonal relationships.
Specific Reasons Why You Should Have Your Hearing Checked Regularly
According to the guidelines provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are advised 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. Family History
If your family members are dealing with hearing difficulties, it is a good idea to book a hearing examination with an expert specializing in hearing health.
2. Establish a Reference Point for Your Present Hearing Level
Once you are aware of your hearing ability in each ear, you become aware of any problems.
You may be missing certain sounds or experiencing subtle hearing problems that could signal the need for additional evaluations or interventions.
3. Helps Gauge Future Changes
Each new test will compare new information with past tests. Some changes occur slowly, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you can’t.
4. Helps Diagnose and Treat Early Problems
New tests track changes and how rapidly they are occurring, which can help diagnose and manage problems early, such as a buildup of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Diagnose Medical Conditions
Sometimes hearing loss is a symptom of an underlying medical condition like diabetes and high blood pressure (linked to hearing loss and tinnitus), plus cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. You might be able to alleviate hearing loss by managing the medical conditions causing it.
6. Prevent Further Damage
When a patient doesn’t get treatment, they can become despondent and fear social situations, encouraging seclusion and more depression. Seniors with hearing problems can have increased accidents when they don’t hear warning signals like car horns, smoke alarms, and other sounds that indicate danger. Moreover, untreated hearing loss is linked to dementia and falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
Perhaps you have suspected you have a hearing loss. You now have the information you require, including the understanding that hearing aids can have a positive impact on numerous 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 managed with the appropriate hearing aids, you’ll be able to hear more effectively during discussions or work meetings, or simply listen to your child’s laughter or a loved one’s voice.
Contact us if you want to schedule a hearing test or if you think you are experiencing hearing loss.