Hearing loss frequently begins with slight, almost unperceivable changes that can be easy to miss. Often, it is loved ones who are the first to notice and bring attention to a person’s hearing problem. While children are routinely tested, many adults do not consider scheduling a hearing exam like they would for their vision.
Indications That You Might Require a Hearing Assessment
There are lots of daily situations where you might not be hearing everything and definitely not hearing what others do.
- Do you often request people to repeat what they said?
- Do you notice that you are increasing the volume on your TV?
- Does background noise in a loud restaurant make it harder to hear and comprehend conversations?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life causing conflicts?
Such episodes can occur regularly and have a lasting impact on interpersonal relationships.
Important Benefits of Scheduling Routine Hearing Assessments
According to the guidelines provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are advised 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 assessment every 3 years.
1. Family History
If your family members are dealing with hearing troubles, it is a good idea to book a hearing examination with an expert specializing in hearing health.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By understanding 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 indicate the need for additional evaluations or interventions.
3. Helps Gauge Future Changes
Each new test will compare new data with past assessments. Some changes occur slowly, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you don’t.
4. Helps Diagnose and Treat Early Problems
Advanced diagnostic tools now keep track of fluctuations and their rate of progression, enabling healthcare professionals to recognize and address issues, such as excessive earwax build-up 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 (connected to hearing loss and tinnitus), plus cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Treating the root medical conditions that are causing it could possibly alleviate hearing loss.
6. Minimize Additional Harm
If a patient does not receive treatment, they may experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social situations, resulting in enhanced seclusion and worsening of their depression. Elderly people dealing with hearing troubles may be at an increased risk of sustaining injuries due to their inability to hear alert signals including car horns, smoke alarms, and other warning sounds. Moreover, neglected 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. Now you have answers, including the knowledge that hearing aids will improve not only your hearing but also your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
After getting the right hearing aids to address your hearing loss, you will experience improved listening ability in conversations, work meetings, and while enjoying the sounds of your child’s laughter or a family member’s voice.
Contact us if you want to schedule a hearing exam or if you think you are noticing hearing loss.
