Most hearing loss is slight at first, and you may not even notice a change. Typically, it is loved ones who are the first to notice and bring attention to a person’s hearing problem. While hearing tests are a routine part of childhood, many adults tend to disregard this essential checkup, unlike regular eye exams that are frequently prioritized.
Indications That You May Require a Hearing Assessment
Throughout the day, there are many instances when you could miss certain things and especially not hear the same things as other people.
- Are you regularly asking people to repeat what they said?
- Are you noticing yourself turning up the volume on your TV?
- Does environmental noise in a loud restaurant make it harder to hear and understand conversations?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life leading to disputes?
These kinds of scenarios can occur on a daily basis and continue to impact relationships.
Important Benefits of Scheduling Routine Hearing Exams
According to the standards supplied by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are recommended to have a hearing screening 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 issues, this is an excellent reason to set up a hearing exam with a hearing specialist.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By understanding your hearing ability in each ear, you can identify potential issues or areas for improvement.
You might be missing certain sounds or experiencing slight hearing difficulties that could signal the need for additional evaluations or interventions.
3. Helps Measure Future Changes
Each new test will compare new data with past assessments. Some changes occur gradually, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you don’t.
4. Helps in Identifying and Managing Problems at an Early Stage
New tests monitor changes and how quickly they are happening, which can help identify and treat issues early, including a buildup of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Detect Health Issues
Sometimes hearing loss is a symptom of an intrinsic medical condition including diabetes and high blood pressure (connected to hearing loss and tinnitus), plus cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. You may be able to relieve hearing loss by managing the medical conditions causing it.
6. Minimize Additional Harm
If a patient does not receive treatment, they might experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social settings, resulting in enhanced seclusion and worsening of their depression. Seniors with hearing issues can have increased accidents when they don’t hear warning signals like car horns, smoke alarms, and other sounds that mean danger. Furthermore, research has revealed a link between unaddressed hearing loss and an increased danger of developing cognitive decline and experiencing falls.
Getting the Answers You Need
Maybe you have suspected you have a hearing loss. Now you have answers, including the understanding that hearing aids will enhance not only your hearing but also your relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.
After receiving the right hearing aids to manage your hearing loss, you will experience improved listening ability in conversations, work meetings, and while enjoying the sounds of your child’s laughter or a family member’s voice.
Reach out to us to arrange a hearing evaluation or if you’re worried that you might be experiencing hearing difficulties.