Most hearing loss is subtle initially, and you might not even notice a change. In fact, it is usually friends and family who alert someone to their hearing issue. While hearing tests are a regular part of childhood, many adults tend to neglect this crucial checkup, unlike regular eye exams that are frequently prioritized.
Indications That You Might Require a Hearing Evaluation
There are a lot of everyday situations where you might not be hearing everything and definitely not hearing what others do.
- Are you frequently asking people to repeat themselves?
- Do you notice that you are increasing the volume on your TV?
- Is it difficult to hear everyone at a noisy restaurant?
- Are there misunderstandings at work or at home leading to disagreements?
These type of scenarios can happen on a daily basis and continue to impact relationships.
Important Benefits of Scheduling Routine Hearing Exams
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association standards state that adults should get a hearing assessment every 10 years up until age 50, and adults over the age of 50 should get one every 3 years.
1. Genetics
If other members of your family have hearing issues, this is an excellent reason to schedule a hearing test with a hearing professional.
2. Establish a Reference Point for Your Current Hearing Level
Once you know your hearing capacity in each ear, you become aware of any problems.
You may be missing certain sounds or experiencing slight hearing problems that could indicate the need for additional assessments or interventions.
3. Helps Gauge Future Changes
Each new test will compare new data with previous tests. Some changes occur gradually, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you can’t.
4. Helps in Recognizing and Managing Problems at an Early Stage
New tests track changes and how quickly they are happening, which can help identify and manage problems early, such as a buildup of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Diagnose Medical Conditions
In some instances, hearing loss can be a sign of a more significant underlying health issue, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease, all of which have been connected to hearing issues and tinnitus. You might be able to alleviate hearing loss by managing the medical conditions causing it.
6. Stop Further Damage
When a patient doesn’t get treatment, they can become despondent and fear social situations, encouraging seclusion and more depression. Elderly individuals experiencing hearing troubles may be at an increased risk of sustaining injuries as a result of their inability to hear alert signals including car horns, smoke alarms, and other warning sounds. Additionally, research has shown a link between unaddressed hearing loss and an elevated danger of developing cognitive decline and experiencing 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 effect on multiple areas of your life, enhancing not only your ability to hear, but also your connections with loved ones, colleagues, and social circle.
After receiving the right hearing aids to address your hearing loss, you will experience enhanced hearing ability in conversations, work meetings, and while enjoying the sounds of your child’s laughter or a family member’s voice.
Get in touch with us if you want to schedule a hearing exam or if you think you are noticing hearing loss.