The majority of hearing loss is subtle initially, and you may not even detect a change. Actually, it is normally friends and family who alert somebody to their hearing issue. While hearing tests are a routine part of childhood, many adults tend to overlook this essential checkup, unlike regular eye exams that are often prioritized.
Indications That You May Require a Hearing Assessment
Throughout the day, there are many instances when you could fail to hear certain things and especially not hear the same things as other people.
- Are you frequently asking people to repeat themselves?
- Are you noticing yourself cranking up the volume on your TV?
- Does background noise in a busy restaurant make it more difficult to hear and comprehend conversations?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life causing conflicts?
Such incidents can occur regularly and have a lasting impact on interpersonal relationships.
Important Advantages of Scheduling Routine Hearing Exams
According to the guidelines supplied 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 assessment every 3 years.
1. Family History
If your family members are experiencing hearing difficulties, it is a good plan to book a hearing evaluation with a professional specializing in hearing health.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By knowing your hearing ability in each ear, you can identify potential issues or areas for improvement.
You might be missing certain sounds or experiencing subtle hearing difficulties that could signal the need for additional assessments or interventions.
3. Monitors Progress Over Time
Every new test will compare new data with past tests. Some changes happen gradually, and the tests will identify any changes even if you don’t.
4. Helps in Recognizing and Addressing Issues at an Early Stage
Innovative diagnostic tools now monitor changes and their rate of progression, allowing healthcare professionals to identify and address problems, such as excessive earwax accumulation or noise-related hearing damage, at an early stage.
5. Pinpoint Medical Conditions
Sometimes hearing loss is a symptom of an intrinsic medical condition including diabetes and high blood pressure (linked to hearing loss and tinnitus), plus cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. You might be able to relieve hearing loss by managing the medical conditions causing it.
6. Minimize Additional Harm
If a patient does not get treatment, they might experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social settings, leading to enhanced isolation 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 indicate danger. Additionally, research has revealed a link between neglected hearing loss and an elevated risk of developing cognitive decline and experiencing falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
You may have wondered if you’re dealing with some degree of hearing impairment. Now you have answers, including the understanding that hearing aids will enhance not only your hearing but also your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
Once your hearing loss is treated with the suitable hearing aids, you’ll be able to hear more effectively during conversations or work meetings, or simply listen to your child’s laughter or a family member’s voice.
Reach out to us to arrange a hearing assessment or if you’re concerned that you may be experiencing hearing difficulties.
