Most hearing loss is slight at first, 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. While children are regularly 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 might not be hearing everything and definitely not hearing what others are.
- Are you frequently asking people to repeat what they said?
- Are you finding yourself cranking up the volume on your TV?
- Does environmental noise in a busy restaurant make it more difficult to hear and comprehend conversations?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life leading to conflicts?
Such incidents can take place frequently and have a lasting impact on interpersonal relationships.
Important Advantages of Scheduling Routine Hearing Exams
According to the guidelines provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are recommended to have a hearing assessment 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 a very good reason to schedule a hearing exam with a hearing specialist.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
Once you are aware of your hearing ability in each ear, you become aware of any issues.
You might be missing certain sounds or experiencing slight hearing difficulties that could indicate the need for further assessments or interventions.
3. Tracks Progress Over Time
Each new test will compare new information with previous assessments. Some changes occur slowly, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you can’t.
4. Helps in Recognizing and Addressing Issues at an Early Stage
New tests track changes and how quickly they are occurring, which can help identify and treat problems early, including an accumulation of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Pinpoint Medical Conditions
In some cases, hearing loss can be an indicator of a more significant underlying health problem, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease, all of which have been connected to hearing problems and tinnitus. Treating the underlying medical conditions that are causing it could possibly reduce hearing loss.
6. Stop Further Damage
If a patient does not receive treatment, they may experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social settings, leading to increased seclusion and worsening of their depression. Elderly people experiencing hearing troubles might be at an increased risk of experiencing injuries as a result of their inability to hear warning signals such as car horns, smoke alarms, and other warning sounds. Additionally, research has revealed a connection between neglected hearing loss and an increased danger of developing dementia and experiencing 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 areas of your life, improving not only your ability to hear, but also your connections with loved ones, colleagues, and social circle.
After getting the correct hearing aids to address your hearing loss, you will experience enhanced hearing ability in conversations, work meetings, and while enjoying the sounds of your child’s laughter or a loved one’s voice.
Reach out to us to arrange a hearing evaluation or if you’re worried that you may be experiencing hearing difficulties.