From cooking meals to our jobs to social activities – our lives are busy and hectic. Having your hearing tested probably doesn’t seem like something you can find the time to do. And perhaps you believe it can wait because you don’t believe you’re experiencing hearing loss.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait:
1. Additional Hearing Loss Can be Prevented
Because hearing loss normally advances slowly, many individuals don’t recognize how bad it’s become. After a while, without even noticing it, they start compensating and making changes to their lifestyle. And because they don’t realize they have hearing loss, they keep engaging in activities that make their hearing loss worse.
But knowing is half the battle.
Getting your hearing tested can be eye-opening. You can slow the progression of hearing loss but there is no way to undo the damage already done.
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you will want to know how to keep it from getting worse.
The progression of hearing loss can be slowed by more effectively managing chronic disease, lowering your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Reducing your exposure to loud sounds and wearing earplugs during loud activities will further safeguard your inner ears from additional damage.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Know
If you are dealing with moderate hearing loss, you may have gradually forgotten how much you love listening to music. You may not recall what it’s like to have a discussion without asking friends or family members to repeat themselves.
You may find yourself getting further away from doing your favorite things and spending time with friends.
Getting a hearing test allows you to assess your level of hearing loss. In the majority of situations, we can help you hear better.
3. You Might Improve Your Hearing Aid Experience
Perhaps you already use hearing aids but you really don’t like to wear them. You might not think they help much. Getting your hearing retested by a hearing specialist will help you discover if you have the best hearing aid for your type and level of hearing loss and whether it’s effectively adjusted.
4. You Might be at Risk Already
13% of people 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing impairment in both ears. And debilitating hearing loss is experienced by 8.5% of adults 55 to64. Hearing loss is typically the result of environmental factors. It isn’t simply about aging. Exposure to loud sound causes most of it.
If you take part in the following things, you’re at a higher risk:
- Go to plays, movies, and concerts
- Ride a snowmobile or motorcycle
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Mow the lawn
- Work at a noisy job
- Shoot guns
Every one of these everyday activities can result in hearing loss. You need to go have your hearing checked by a hearing professional as soon as you can if you notice a decline in your ability to hear regardless of what your age is.
5. Your General Health Will Improve
People with neglected hearing loss have a substantially higher chance of:
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Anxiety
- Falls that cause injuries
- Depression
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
Getting your hearing checked is about more than just your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Repaired
Friends and family members can lose their patience when dealing with a person who has neglected hearing loss. Misunderstandings are more likely. The situation is aggravating for everyone. Resentment and regret might be the result. Rather than continuously needing to repeat themselves, family and friends might start to exclude you from get-togethers.
But here’s the good news, getting your hearing checked will help restore stressed relationships and prevent misunderstandings from happening again.