Why is getting routine hearing tests significant? That’s because your overall health can be substantially impacted by hearing loss. Getting your hearing assessed regularly can help you detect hearing loss early, get care faster, and, improve your health, well-being, and quality of life.
Who should get a hearing test?
Your health and well-being can be seriously affected by untreated hearing loss. For instance, hearing loss can result in extreme social isolation. Talking with family and friends can become more challenging, and individuals with hearing loss may be less likely to reach out to other people, even during routine activities like grocery shopping or going to work. This kind of social isolation can be detrimental to your mental health and, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, your physical wellness.
Other health concerns can come from neglected hearing loss also. Numerous chronic conditions, including depression and cognitive decline, have been linked to neglected hearing loss. Comorbidities, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease have also been associated with hearing loss.
As a result, it’s generally a good idea for just about anyone to schedule a routine hearing test.
You should get your hearing checked for these four reasons
There are four noteworthy reasons why keeping an eye on your hearing can be beneficial to your general health.
1. You can determine the baseline for your healthy hearing
Why would you want to have your hearing tested if it seems healthy? Well, there are several good reasons to take a hearing test early. The most important is that a hearing exam will give us a detailed picture of your present hearing health. This will make it much easier to detect any changes in the future. Early symptoms of hearing loss often go unnoticed because hearing loss usually progresses gradually over time.
Before you notice any symptoms, a hearing test will help identify hearing loss in its early stages.
2. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential
Hearing loss normally progresses slowly over time. As a result, identifying hearing loss early often means a better prognosis. This is because you’re able to treat the condition at the earliest possible juncture.
Early treatment might include anything from taking steps to protect your hearing like using ear protection in noisy settings to using hearing aids. Treatment can help you avoid many of the associated problems listed above, such as cognitive decline, depression, and social isolation.
3. Future changes will be easier to measure
Even if you are diagnosed with hearing loss, that doesn’t mean your hearing won’t continue to get worse as you get older. Regular hearing exams can facilitate early detection and your treatment plan can be adjusted as needed.
4. Additional damage can be prevented
Most hearing loss is caused by damage, the kind of damage that occurs gradually and over time. Your hearing specialist is a substantial resource and seeing us regularly will help you identify any hearing loss as early as possible. We can give you information, treatments, and best practices that can help keep your ears as healthy as possible.
For instance, we can help you figure out ways to protect your ears from day-to-day damage or develop strategies created to help you keep sounds around you quieter.
How often should I get my hearing examined?
In general, it’s recommended that adults get a hearing test sometime in their 20s or 30s, on the earlier side. Unless we suggest more frequent visits or if you notice any hearing issues, at least every ten years will be the advised interval for hearing exams.
But perhaps you’re thinking: what should I expect at my hearing test? Hearing tests are usually completely non-invasive. Often, all you do is put on special headphones and listen for a specific sound.
Whether you need some hearing protection or a new set of hearing aids, we will be able to help you with the best hearing care. And we can help you figure out what your hearing test schedule should be.
