Our lives are busy and chaotic – from our jobs to preparing food to social activities. Getting your hearing Examined probably doesn’t seem like something you can spare the time to do. And perhaps you don’t even detect any hearing loss – so you believe a hearing test can wait.
You shouldn’t wait – here’s why:
1. You Can Prevent Additional Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss typically advances slowly, many people don’t recognize how bad it’s become. After a while, without even noticing it, they begin compensating and changing their lifestyle. All the while, they continue to do things to make their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
Having your hearing checked can be eye-opening. There is no way to undo any hearing loss you might have already suffered, but you can slow its progression.
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you will want to know how to stop it from getting worse.
The progression of hearing loss can be slowed by more efficiently controlling chronic disease, reducing your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Reducing your exposure to loud sounds and wearing ear protection during loud activities will further protect your inner ears from additional harm.
2. You Don’t Even Realize How Much You’re Missing
You might have slowly forgotten your love for music if you’ve been dealing with moderate hearing loss. You may not remember what it’s like to have a discussion without asking friends or family members to repeat themselves.
You might have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite experiences.
You can learn just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing assessment. In most situations, we can help make improvements to your hearing.
3. You Might Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
Maybe you already have hearing aids but you really don’t like to wear them. You may not think they help very much. Having your hearing re-examined 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. It’s Possible That You’re Already at Risk
13% of people 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing loss in both ears. And debilitating hearing loss is experienced by 8.5% of adults 55 to64. Hearing loss is usually due to environmental factors. It’s not simply about aging. Most of it is caused by exposure to loud noise.
Your at an increased danger if you are engaged in any of these activities:
- Shoot guns
- Attend concerts, plays, or movies
- Ride loud vehicles such as a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Listen to loud music or wear earbuds
- Mow the lawn
- Have a loud job
Hearing loss can be caused by any of these common activities. You need to go have your hearing examined by a hearing professional as soon as you can if you notice a decline in your ability to hear regardless of how old you are.
5. It Will Benefit Your Total Health
If you neglect your hearing loss you will have a considerably higher chance of the following:
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Depression
- Falls that result in injuries
- Anxiety
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
A hearing test is not only about your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Repaired
Untreated hearing loss can test the patience of your friends and family members. It’s more likely for misunderstandings to take place. The situation is aggravating for everybody. Resentment and regret might be the result. Friends and family members may even exclude you from gatherings versus needing to continuously repeat themselves.
But misunderstandings and stressed relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing exam and that’s the good news.