Most hearing loss is subtle at first, and you might not even detect a change. Actually, it is normally friends and family who alert someone to their hearing issue. Although children are routinely tested, many adults do not think about scheduling a hearing exam like they would for their vision.
Clues You Might Need a Hearing Exam
There are lots of daily instances where you may not be hearing everything and definitely not hearing what others are.
- Do you often request people to repeat what they said?
- 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 leading to disagreements?
These kinds of situations can occur on a day-to-day basis and continue to affect relationships.
Specific Reasons to Have Your Hearing Assessed On A Regular Basis
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association standards state that adults should get a hearing assessment every 10 years up until age 50, and adults over the age of 50 should have one every 3 years.
1. Family History
If other members of your family have hearing problems, this is an excellent reason to schedule a hearing exam with a hearing specialist.
2. Establish a Reference Point for Your Current Hearing Level
By understanding your hearing ability in each ear, you can determine 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. Tracks Progress Over Time
Every new test will analyze recent data alongside previous tests. Certain changes take place slowly, and the tests will identify any changes that might not be obvious to you.
4. Assists in Recognizing and Managing Problems at an Early Stage
New tests monitor changes and how rapidly they are occurring, which can help identify and treat problems early, such as an accumulation of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Detect Health Issues
In some cases, hearing loss can be an indicator of a more significant underlying health issue, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease, all of which have been linked to hearing problems and tinnitus. Managing the root medical conditions that are causing it could possibly alleviate hearing loss.
6. Stop Further Damage
When a patient is without treatment, they can become depressed and fear social situations, inviting seclusion and further depression. Elderly individuals experiencing hearing difficulties may be at a higher danger of experiencing injuries as a result of their inability to hear warning signals including car horns, smoke alarms, and other warning sounds. Moreover, neglected hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline and 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 multiple facets of your life, enhancing not only your ability to hear, but also your connections 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 conversations or work meetings, or simply listen to 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.
