Hearing loss often starts out with slight, almost imperceptible changes that can be easy to miss. Often, it is loved ones who are the first to observe and bring awareness to a person’s hearing trouble. Although children are regularly assessed, many adults do not consider scheduling a hearing exam like they would for their vision.
Indications That You May 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?
- Are you finding yourself cranking up the volume on your TV?
- Does background noise in a busy restaurant make it more difficult to hear and understand conversations?
- Are miscommunications or misinterpretations in your personal or professional life causing disputes?
Such incidents can occur frequently and have a lasting impact on interpersonal relationships.
Specific Reasons Why You Should Have Your Hearing Assessed On A Regular Basis
According to the standards provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are recommended to have a hearing screening 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. Family History
If your family members are dealing with hearing troubles, it is a good idea to book a hearing examination with a professional specializing in hearing health.
2. Set Your Baseline Hearing
By knowing 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 additional assessments or interventions.
3. Monitors Progress Over Time
Every new test will compare new data with previous assessments. Some changes occur slowly, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you don’t.
4. Assists in Recognizing and Addressing Problems at an Early Stage
Innovative diagnostic tools now keep track of changes and their rate of progression, enabling healthcare professionals to recognize and manage issues, like excessive earwax build-up or noise-related hearing damage, at an early stage.
5. Identify Health Issues
In some instances, hearing loss can be an indicator of a more serious underlying health issue, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease, all of which have been linked to hearing problems and tinnitus. Treating the underlying medical conditions that are causing it could potentially alleviate hearing loss.
6. Stop 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 who have hearing problems can have increased injuries when they don’t hear warning signals like car horns, smoke alarms, and other sounds that indicate danger. Moreover, neglected hearing loss is associated with dementia and falls.
Finding the Information You’re Looking For
You might have wondered if you’re experiencing some degree of hearing loss. Now you have answers, including the understanding that hearing aids will enhance not only your hearing but also your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
After getting the right hearing aids to manage your hearing loss, you will experience improved hearing ability in conversations, work meetings, and while enjoying the sounds of your child’s laughter or a loved one’s voice.
Get in touch with us if you want to schedule a hearing test or if you think you are noticing hearing loss.