The majority of hearing loss is slight at first, and you may not even recognize a change. Typically, it is loved ones who are the first to observe and bring awareness to a person’s hearing trouble. Although children are regularly tested, many adults do not think about scheduling a hearing test like they would for their vision.
Indications That You May Require a Hearing Assessment
There are a lot of everyday situations where you may not be hearing everything and certainly not hearing what others do.
- Are you regularly asking people to repeat what they said?
- Do you notice that you are increasing the volume on your TV?
- Is it harder to hear everyone at a loud restaurant?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life leading to conflicts?
These type of situations can happen on a day-to-day basis and continue to impact relationships.
Important Benefits of Scheduling Regular Hearing Assessments
According to the guidelines provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are advised to have a hearing screening every 10 years before reaching the age of 50. For adults aged 50 and above, it is recommended to have a hearing screening 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 Present Hearing Level
Once you are aware of your hearing capacity in each ear, you become aware of any issues.
You may be missing certain sounds or experiencing subtle hearing problems that could signal the need for additional assessments or interventions.
3. Tracks Progress Over Time
Each new test will compare new information with past assessments. Some changes happen slowly, and the tests will identify any changes even if you don’t.
4. Helps Diagnose and Treat Early Problems
New tests track changes and how rapidly they are occurring, which can help diagnose and manage problems early, such as an accumulation of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Detect Health Problems
Sometimes 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. You may be able to relieve hearing loss by treating the medical conditions causing it.
6. Stop Further Damage
If a patient does not receive treatment, they might experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social situations, resulting in increased seclusion and worsening of their depression. Seniors who have hearing issues can have increased injuries when they don’t hear warning signals like car horns, smoke alarms, and other sounds that mean danger. Moreover, untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline and falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
You might have wondered if you’re dealing with some amount of hearing loss. You now have the information you require, including the awareness that hearing aids can have a positive effect on numerous areas of your life, enhancing not only your ability to hear, but also your connections with loved ones, colleagues, and social circle.
After getting the right hearing aids to manage 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.
Contact us if you want to schedule a hearing test or if you think you are noticing hearing loss.
