Most hearing loss is slight initially, and you might not even detect a change. In fact, it is normally family and friends who tip off somebody to their hearing problem. Although children are routinely tested, many adults do not think about scheduling a hearing test like they would for their vision.
Signs You Might Need a Hearing Exam
There are a lot of daily instances where you might not be hearing everything and certainly not hearing what others are.
- 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 everyone at a loud restaurant?
- Are there misunderstandings at work or at home leading to disagreements?
These kinds of scenarios can occur on a daily basis and continue to impact relationships.
Important Benefits of Scheduling Routine Hearing Assessments
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association standards state that adults should get a hearing screening every 10 years up until age 50, and adults over the age of 50 should have one every 3 years.
1. Genetic makeup
If other members of your family have hearing problems, this is an excellent reason to schedule a hearing exam with a hearing professional.
2. Establish a Reference Point for Your Current Hearing Level
By understanding your hearing ability in each ear, you can identify potential issues or areas for improvement.
There are sounds you may not be hearing and impairments that may require further evaluations or treatments.
3. Helps Measure Future Changes
Every new test will compare new data with previous tests. Some changes happen slowly, and the tests will identify any changes even if you don’t.
4. Helps Diagnose and Treat Early Issues
Advanced diagnostic tools now keep track of fluctuations and their rate of advancement, enabling healthcare professionals to recognize and address problems, such as excessive earwax build-up or noise-related hearing damage, at an early stage.
5. Identify Health Issues
In some cases 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. You might be able to relieve hearing loss by treating the medical conditions causing it.
6. Prevent Further Damage
If a patient does not get treatment, they might experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social situations, resulting in increased isolation and worsening of their depression. Seniors who have hearing problems can have increased injuries when they don’t hear warning signals like car horns, smoke alarms, and other sounds that mean danger. Additionally, research has shown a link between unaddressed hearing loss and an increased danger of developing cognitive decline and experiencing falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
Maybe you have suspected you have a hearing loss. You now have the information you need, including the awareness that hearing aids can have a positive impact on numerous facets of your life, enhancing not only your ability to hear, but also your relationships with loved ones, colleagues, and social circle.
After getting the right hearing aids to address 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 arrange a hearing assessment or if you’re worried that you may be experiencing hearing difficulties.