The majority of hearing loss is subtle at first, and you may not even recognize a change. Actually, it is usually friends and family who tip off someone to their hearing problem. Although children are regularly tested, many adults do not consider scheduling a hearing exam like they would for their vision.
Indications That You May Require a Hearing Evaluation
Throughout the day, there are many occasions when you might miss certain things and especially not hear the same things as other people.
- Are you regularly asking people to repeat themselves?
- Do you notice that you are increasing the volume on your TV?
- Is it harder to understand everyone at a loud restaurant?
- Are there misunderstandings at work or at home causing disagreements?
These type of situations can happen on a day-to-day basis and continue to impact relationships.
Specific Reasons Why You Should Have Your Hearing Checked Regularly
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association guidelines state that adults should get a hearing screening every 10 years up until age 50, and adults over the age of 50 should get one every 3 years.
1. Genetics
If your family members are experiencing hearing troubles, it is a good plan to book a hearing examination with a professional specializing in hearing health.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By understanding your hearing ability in each ear, you can determine potential problems or areas for improvement.
You might be missing certain sounds or experiencing slight hearing problems that could indicate the need for additional evaluations or interventions.
3. Tracks Progress Over Time
Every new test will evaluate recent data together with previous tests. Certain adjustments take place slowly, and the tests will identify any changes that might not be obvious to you.
4. Helps in Identifying and Addressing Problems at an Early Stage
New tests track changes and how quickly they are occurring, which can help diagnose and manage problems early, including an accumulation of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Identify Health Problems
In some scenarios, hearing loss can be a sign of a more serious root health issue, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease, all of which have been linked to hearing problems and tinnitus. Treating the root medical conditions that are causing it could possibly alleviate hearing loss.
6. Prevent Further Damage
When a patient is without treatment, they can become despondent and fear social situations, encouraging solitude 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 mean danger. Additionally, research has shown a connection between neglected hearing loss and an elevated danger of developing cognitive decline and experiencing falls.
Getting the Answers You Need
Maybe you have suspected you have a hearing loss. You now have the information you require, including the awareness that hearing aids can have a positive impact on multiple facets 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 treated with the suitable hearing aids, you’ll be able to hear more effectively during conversations 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 exam or if you think you are experiencing hearing loss.