Hearing loss frequently starts out with mild, almost imperceptible changes that can be easy to overlook. Actually, it is normally family and friends who tip off someone to their hearing problem. While children are regularly assessed, many adults do not consider scheduling a hearing test like they would for their vision.
Clues You May Need a Hearing Test
Throughout the day, there are many instances when you might miss certain things and especially not hear the same things as other people.
- Do you often request people to repeat what they said?
- Do you notice that you are boosting 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 causing disputes?
Such incidents can take place frequently and have a lasting impact on interpersonal connections.
Important Advantages of Scheduling Regular Hearing Assessments
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 advised to have a hearing screening every 3 years.
1. Genetic makeup
If your family members are experiencing hearing difficulties, it is a good idea to schedule a hearing examination with an expert specializing in hearing health.
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 slight hearing difficulties that could indicate the need for further assessments or interventions.
3. Monitors Progress Over Time
Every new test will compare new information with previous assessments. Some changes occur gradually, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you don’t.
4. Helps Diagnose and Treat Early Issues
New tests monitor changes and how rapidly they are happening, which can help identify and manage problems early, such as a buildup of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Identify Health Issues
In some scenarios, hearing loss can be a sign 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. You might be able to relieve hearing loss by managing the medical conditions causing it.
6. Stop Further Damage
When a patient doesn’t get treatment, they can become despondent and fear social settings, encouraging seclusion and further depression. Elderly people experiencing hearing difficulties might be at an increased risk of sustaining injuries due to their inability to hear warning signals including car horns, smoke alarms, and other warning sounds. Furthermore, research has shown a link between neglected hearing loss and an elevated danger of developing cognitive decline and experiencing falls.
Getting the Answers You Need
Perhaps 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 numerous facets of your life, enhancing not only your ability to hear, but also your relationships with loved ones, colleagues, and social circle.
Once your hearing loss is managed with the appropriate 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.
Get in touch with us if you want to schedule a hearing exam or if you think you are noticing hearing loss.