The majority of hearing loss is subtle initially, and you may not even recognize a change. Typically, it is loved ones who are the first to observe and bring awareness to a person’s hearing trouble. Although children are routinely tested, many adults do not think about scheduling a hearing test like they would for their vision.
Indications That You May Require a Hearing Evaluation
There are a lot of daily instances where you might not be hearing everything and definitely not hearing what others do.
- Are you regularly asking people to repeat themselves?
- Do you notice that you are increasing the volume on your TV?
- Is it difficult to hear everybody at a loud restaurant?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life leading to disputes?
Such incidents can take place frequently and have a lasting impact on interpersonal connections.
Important Benefits of Scheduling Routine Hearing Assessments
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association guidelines state that adults should get a hearing assessment 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 dealing with hearing difficulties, it is a good plan to schedule a hearing evaluation with a professional specializing in hearing health.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By understanding your hearing ability in each ear, you can identify potential problems or areas for improvement.
You may be missing certain sounds or experiencing slight hearing difficulties that could indicate the need for additional evaluations or interventions.
3. Tracks Progress Over Time
Each new test will compare new information with past tests. Some changes happen slowly, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you don’t.
4. Helps in Identifying and Addressing Problems at an Early Stage
Advanced diagnostic tools now monitor fluctuations and their rate of advancement, allowing healthcare professionals to identify and address issues, like excessive earwax accumulation or noise-related hearing damage, at an early stage.
5. Diagnose Medical Conditions
In some cases, hearing loss can be an indicator of a more serious root health issue, including diabetes, high blood pressure, 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 reduce hearing loss.
6. Prevent Further Damage
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. Seniors with hearing problems can have increased accidents when they don’t hear warning signals like car horns, smoke alarms, and other sounds that mean danger. Moreover, neglected hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline and falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
You may have wondered if you’re experiencing some amount of hearing loss. Now you have answers, including the knowledge 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 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 loved one’s voice.
Reach out to us to arrange a hearing evaluation or if you’re worried that you might be experiencing hearing troubles.