The majority of hearing loss is slight at first, and you may not even notice a change. Often, it is loved ones who are the first to notice and bring awareness to a person’s hearing trouble. While hearing exams are a regular part of childhood, many adults tend to disregard this essential checkup, unlike routine eye exams that are often prioritized.
Indications That You May Require a Hearing Evaluation
Throughout the day, there are many instances when you could fail to hear certain things and especially not hear the same things as other people.
- Are you regularly asking people to repeat themselves?
- Are you noticing yourself turning up the volume on your TV?
- Is it harder to hear everybody at a noisy restaurant?
- Are there misunderstandings at work or at home causing disagreements?
These type of situations can happen on a daily basis and continue to impact relationships.
Specific Reasons Why You Should Have Your Hearing Tested Regularly
According to the standards provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are advised to have a hearing assessment 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. Family History
If other members of your family have hearing problems, this is a very good reason to schedule a hearing exam with a hearing professional.
2. Establish a Reference Point for Your Current Hearing Level
Once you know your hearing ability in each ear, you become aware of any problems.
You might be missing certain sounds or experiencing subtle hearing problems that could signal the need for additional assessments or interventions.
3. Helps Gauge Future Changes
Every fresh test will evaluate recent data together with previous tests. Certain adjustments occur progressively, and the tests will identify any changes that might not be obvious to you.
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 manage issues early, including an accumulation of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Diagnose Medical Conditions
In some cases hearing loss is a symptom of an underlying medical condition including diabetes and high blood pressure (connected to hearing loss and tinnitus), plus cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Managing the underlying medical conditions that are causing it could potentially alleviate hearing loss.
6. Minimize Additional Harm
When a patient doesn’t get treatment, they can become despondent and fear social situations, inviting seclusion and more depression. Seniors who have hearing issues can have increased accidents when they don’t hear warning signals like car horns, smoke alarms, and other sounds that indicate danger. In addition, untreated hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
Perhaps you have suspected you have a hearing loss. You now have the information you need, including the understanding that hearing aids can have a positive effect on numerous 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 managed with the suitable hearing aids, you’ll be able to hear more efficiently during discussions or work meetings, or simply listen to your child’s laughter or a family member’s voice.
Contact us if you want to schedule a hearing test or if you think you are noticing hearing loss.