Why is getting regular hearing assessments essential? Well, the truth is that hearing loss can have significant and long-term effects on your overall wellness. Your quality of life will be improved, your health will be enhanced, and you will get proper treatment sooner if you get tested regularly.
Getting a hearing exam – who should do it?
A loss in hearing ability can produce effects that can greatly impede your health and well-being. Social isolation, for example, can be a consequence of neglected hearing loss. Even while doing tasks such as going to the store, people who suffer from hearing loss will tend to avoid reaching out to friends and family because they have a hard time making out conversations. It may not be shocking that this type of social isolation can lead to mental health problems, but it may come as a surprise to learn that it can be harmful to your physical health too.
Other health problems can be the result of neglected hearing loss also. Numerous chronic conditions, including depression and cognitive decline, have been linked to untreated hearing loss. It’s also been associated with a number of comorbidities, including diabetes, heart issues, and high blood pressure.
As a result, it’s generally a good plan for just about anyone to schedule a routine hearing test.
Four reasons to check your hearing
Getting your hearing checked can be helpful to your general health for four distinct reasons.
1. Establishing a baseline for your hearing is significant
Why would you want to have your hearing tested if it seems healthy? Well, getting a hearing test early is a good idea for several reasons. Your present level of hearing can be established by a hearing exam and that’s probably the most important thing. If your hearing changes in the future, this will make it simpler to identify. This is particularly true because hearing loss tends to progress slowly, the first symptoms are not always noticeable.
Before you observe any symptoms, a hearing exam will help identify hearing loss in its early stages.
2. Diagnose and treat issues earlier
Hearing loss typically progresses slowly over time. You’ll have a better prognosis, as a result, if you catch your hearing loss early. If you treat the condition as early as possible, you will have more positive results.
Early treatment could include anything from taking steps to protect your hearing such as wearing ear protection in loud spaces to using hearing aids. Treatment can help you avoid many of the associated problems listed above, including cognitive decline, depression, and social isolation.
3. It’s easier to assess future changes
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 assessments can help you identify changes as you go along, and make changes to your treatment plan as necessary.
4. You can avoid further damage to your ears
Hearing loss that develops gradually over time is usually caused by damage. Visiting us regularly to get your hearing assessed helps you identify that damage as early as possible, and it also gives you access to a considerable resource: your hearing specialist. We can help you keep your hearing as healthy as possible by providing you with treatments, best practices, and information.
For example, we can help you figure out ways to safeguard your ears from day-to-day damage or establish strategies created to help you keep sounds around you quieter.
How often should I have my hearing tested?
On the earlier side, adults should wait no longer than their early twenties to start routine hearing tests. Unless we recommend more frequent visits or if you detect any hearing issues, at least every ten years will be the advised interval for hearing assessments.
But maybe you’re thinking: what should I expect at my hearing exam? Generally, they’re entirely non-invasive procedures. Often, all you do is wear special headphones and listen for a particular sound.
Whether you require 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 determine what your hearing exam schedule should be.
