Hearing loss frequently starts out with mild, almost unperceivable changes that can be easy to miss. In fact, it is usually friends and family who alert somebody to their hearing issue. While children are regularly tested, many adults do not think about scheduling a hearing exam like they would for their vision.
Signs You Might Need a Hearing Test
There are a lot of daily situations where you might not be hearing everything and certainly not hearing what others do.
- Do you often request people to repeat what they said?
- Are you finding yourself turning up the volume on your TV?
- Is it harder to hear everyone at a loud restaurant?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life causing disputes?
These kinds of situations can happen on a daily basis and continue to affect relationships.
Specific Reasons Why You Should Have Your Hearing Assessed On A Regular Basis
According to the standards supplied by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are recommended to have a hearing screening every 10 years before reaching the age of 50. For adults aged 50 and above, it is advised to have a hearing assessment every 3 years.
1. Genetic makeup
If other members of your family have hearing issues, this is a very good reason to set up a hearing test with a hearing professional.
2. Establish a Reference Point for Your Current Hearing Level
By understanding your hearing ability in each ear, you can determine potential issues or areas for improvement.
You might be missing certain sounds or experiencing slight hearing difficulties that could indicate the need for further assessments or interventions.
3. Tracks Progress Over Time
Each new test will compare new information with previous tests. Some changes occur gradually, and the tests will identify any changes even if you can’t.
4. Assists in Recognizing and Addressing Issues at an Early Stage
New tests monitor changes and how rapidly they are happening, which can help identify and treat problems early, such as an accumulation of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Pinpoint Medical Conditions
Sometimes hearing loss is a symptom of an underlying medical condition including diabetes and high blood pressure (linked to hearing loss and tinnitus), plus cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Treating the root medical conditions that are causing it could possibly reduce hearing loss.
6. Stop Further Damage
When a patient is without treatment, they can become despondent and fear social settings, encouraging isolation and further depression. Elderly individuals experiencing hearing troubles may be at a higher danger of experiencing injuries due to their inability to hear warning signals such as car horns, smoke alarms, and other warning sounds. Additionally, research has shown a link between neglected 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 experiencing some degree of hearing loss. Now you have answers, including the understanding that hearing aids will enhance not only your hearing but also your relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.
After receiving the right hearing aids to manage your hearing loss, you will experience enhanced listening ability in conversations, work meetings, and while enjoying the sounds of your child’s laughter or a loved one’s voice.
Reach out to us to set up a hearing assessment or if you’re concerned that you may be experiencing hearing troubles.