The majority of hearing loss is subtle initially, and you might not even recognize a change. Typically, it is loved ones who are the first to observe and bring attention to a person’s hearing problem. Although children are routinely tested, many adults do not consider scheduling a hearing exam like they would for their vision.
Indications That You May Require a Hearing Evaluation
There are a lot of daily instances where you may not be hearing everything and certainly not hearing what others are.
- Do you often request people to repeat what they said?
- Are you finding yourself cranking up the volume on your TV?
- Is it harder to hear everybody at a loud restaurant?
- Are there misunderstandings at work or at home causing disagreements?
These type of scenarios can happen on a daily basis and continue to impact relationships.
Specific Reasons to Have Your Hearing Tested Regularly
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 get one every 3 years.
1. Family History
If other members of your family have hearing problems, this is an excellent reason to set up a hearing test with a hearing professional.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By knowing your hearing ability in each ear, you can pinpoint potential issues or areas for improvement.
You might be missing certain sounds or experiencing subtle hearing difficulties that could indicate the need for additional assessments or interventions.
3. Helps Measure Future Changes
Each new test will compare new data with past tests. Some changes occur gradually, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you don’t.
4. Assists in Identifying and Managing Problems at an Early Stage
New tests track changes and how rapidly they are happening, which can help identify and manage problems early, such as a buildup of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Pinpoint Medical Conditions
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. Managing the underlying medical conditions that are causing it could possibly reduce hearing loss.
6. Decrease Additional Harm
If a patient does not get treatment, they might experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social situations, resulting in enhanced isolation and worsening of their depression. Elderly people experiencing hearing troubles may be at an increased danger of experiencing injuries due to their inability to hear alert signals such as car horns, smoke alarms, and other warning sounds. Additionally, research has revealed a connection between unaddressed hearing loss and an increased danger of developing dementia and experiencing falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
You may have wondered if you’re experiencing some amount of hearing impairment. Now you have answers, including the knowledge that hearing aids will enhance not only your hearing but also your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
After getting the right hearing aids to address your hearing loss, you will experience improved hearing ability in conversations, work meetings, and while enjoying the sounds of your child’s laughter or a loved one’s voice.
Get in touch with us if you want to schedule a hearing exam or if you think you are noticing hearing loss.
