Hearing loss often starts out with mild, almost imperceptible changes that can be easy to overlook. Typically, it is loved ones who are the first to recognize and bring awareness to a person’s hearing trouble. While hearing exams are a routine part of childhood, many adults tend to disregard this crucial checkup, unlike routine eye exams that are often prioritized.
Signs You May Need a Hearing Exam
Throughout the day, there are many instances when you might miss certain things and especially not hear the same things as other people.
- Are you frequently asking people to repeat what they said?
- Do you notice that you are boosting the volume on your TV?
- Does background noise in a loud restaurant make it more difficult to hear and comprehend conversations?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life leading to conflicts?
These type of scenarios can occur on a daily basis and continue to impact relationships.
Specific Reasons Why You Should Have Your Hearing Checked Regularly
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association standards state that adults should get a hearing screening every 10 years up until age 50, and adults over the age of 50 should get one every 3 years.
1. Family History
If your family members are experiencing hearing difficulties, it is a good plan to schedule a hearing examination with an expert specializing in hearing health.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By knowing your hearing ability in each ear, you can determine potential problems or areas for improvement.
You may be missing certain sounds or experiencing slight hearing problems that could indicate the need for further evaluations or interventions.
3. Helps Measure Future Changes
Every new test will compare new data with previous assessments. Some changes occur gradually, and the tests will identify any changes even if you can’t.
4. Helps Diagnose and Treat Early Issues
New tests monitor changes and how quickly they are happening, which can help diagnose and manage problems early, including an accumulation of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.
5. Diagnose Medical Conditions
In some scenarios, hearing loss can be a sign of a more serious underlying health issue, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease, all of which have been connected to hearing issues and tinnitus. Managing the root medical conditions that are causing it could potentially alleviate hearing loss.
6. Decrease Additional Harm
If a patient does not receive treatment, they might experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social settings, leading to increased seclusion and worsening of their depression. Elderly individuals experiencing hearing troubles may 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. In addition, untreated hearing loss is linked to dementia and falls.
Getting the Answers You Need
Perhaps you have suspected you have a hearing loss. You now have the information you require, 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 relationships with loved ones, colleagues, and social circle.
After getting the correct hearing aids to address your hearing loss, you will experience enhanced listening 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 assessment or if you’re concerned that you may be experiencing hearing difficulties.