You will still visit your eye doctor every year even if you already use eyeglasses. Because your eyes change over time. Nothing in your body is fixed, not your eyes and not, as it happens, your ears either. That’s why, even after you’ve invested in hearing aids, it’s imperative to continue to have your ears examined much like you would with your eyes.
Many people, regrettably, miss those yearly appointments. Perhaps a visit to their doctor is taking a back seat to enjoying life. Or perhaps, work has been particularly hectic this year. Or perhaps you’ve simply decided not to go back in because you’re so pleased with your hearing aids. That should be a good thing, right?
Getting your hearing checked
Let’s take Daphne as an imaginary example. For some time now, Daphne has detected some symptoms connected to her hearing. She keeps increasing the volume on her TV. When she goes out after work to a loud restaurant, she has trouble following discussions. And because she enjoys taking care of herself, and she’s intelligent, she schedules a hearing test.
After getting her hearing examined, Daphne does everything she’s supposed to: she buys hearing aids, which are then correctly fitted and calibrated, and then she goes on with her life.
Issue solved? Well, maybe not entirely. It’s great that Daphne went in for a hearing exam and discovered her hearing problems early. But for most individuals with hearing loss, even a small one, follow-up care becomes even more important in the long run. Maintaining routine appointments would be a wise plan for Daphne. However, one study revealed that only around 33% of seniors with hearing aids get regular check-ups so Daphne isn’t alone.
Why do you need hearing exams after you get hearing aids?
Alright, remember our glasses metaphor? Daphne’s hearing won’t become fixed and stop changing just because she uses hearing aids. Her hearing aids will have to be adjusted to account for those changes. Any hearing changes can be detected early with periodic monitoring.
And that isn’t even the only reason why it may be a smart idea to keep routine appointments after you get your hearing aids. Some of the most common reasons to make sure you get to your next check-up include:
- Hearing degeneration: Even with a hearing aid, your hearing could keep deteriorating. Often, this degeneration of your hearing is quite slow and without regular screenings, you most likely won’t even recognize it. Correct adjustments to your hearing aids can often slow hearing declines.
- Hearing aid calibration: Your hearing changes in small ways, and while your general hearing may remain consistent, these slight changes could require you to get regular hearing examinations. Your hearing aid could become less and less efficient if you avoid this calibration.
- Your fit may change: Because your ears are always changing, it’s very possible that the way your hearing aids fit around and in your ears will change. Routine hearing tests can help ensure that your hearing aids continue to fit the way they’re designed to.
Hazards and roadblocks
The greatest challenge here is that sooner or later, the hearing aids Daphne is using will quit working the way they’re intended to, so she’ll get frustrated with them and stop wearing them entirely. Using hearing aids helps slow hearing loss over time. Your hearing will deteriorate faster if you quit wearing your hearing aids and you most likely won’t even notice it.
In terms of achieving efficient performance of your hearing aids, and optimal hearing, regular hearing assessments are essential. Safeguard your hearing and make sure your hearing aids are effectively working by having routine screenings.