From cooking meals to our jobs to social activities – our lives are busy and chaotic. Getting your hearing Evaluated probably doesn’t seem like something you can find the time to do. And perhaps you don’t even notice any hearing loss – so you believe a hearing test can wait.
You shouldn’t put it off – here’s why:
1. Additional Hearing Loss Can be Prevented
Because hearing loss typically advances gradually, many individuals don’t grasp how bad it’s become. After a while, without even noticing it, they start compensating and changing their lifestyle. All the while, they continue to do things which makes their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
It can be an eye-opener to get your hearing examined. There isn’t any way to undo any hearing loss you may already have, but you can slow its progression.
It will be helpful to find out how to keep your moderate hearing loss from worsening.
Exercising, decreasing your blood pressure, and dealing with chronic diseases more thoroughly can slow hearing loss advancement.
Limiting your exposure to loud noises and wearing ear protection during loud activities will further safeguard your inner ears from additional harm.
2. You Don’t Even Realize How Much You’re Missing
You may have slowly forgotten your appreciation for music if you’ve been dealing with moderate hearing loss. You might not remember 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.
You can find out just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing test. In most cases, we can help improve your hearing.
3. You Might Enhance Your Hearing Aid Experience
If you already have a hearing aid, you might not want to use it. You may not feel like it enhances your listening experience. Getting your hearing retested by a hearing specialist will help you discover if you have the best hearing aid for your type and degree of hearing loss and whether it’s correctly adjusted.
4. You Could be at Risk Already
Measurable hearing loss can be detected in both ears in 13% of U.S. citizens (30 million individuals) 12 and older. Among adults ages 55 to 64, 8.5% are experiencing disabling hearing loss. Hearing loss is commonly caused by environmental factors. It isn’t just something that develops when you get older. Most of it is caused by exposure to loud sound.
If you participate in the following things, you’re at a greater risk:
- Hunt or target shoot with firearms
- Mow the lawn
- Have a noisy job
- Ride a motorcycle or snowmobile
- Attend movies, plays, or concerts
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
Every one of these everyday activities can lead to hearing loss. If you observe a decline in your hearing whatever age, you should have your hearing checked by a hearing specialist as soon as you can.
5. It Will Improve Your Overall Health
If you neglect your hearing loss you will have a considerably higher risk of the following:
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Falls that cause injuries
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Depression
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Anxiety
Having your hearing tested is about more than just your hearing.
6. Rebuild Tense Relationships
Friends and family members can lose their patience when addressing someone who has neglected hearing loss. Misunderstandings are more likely. The situation is frustrating for everyone. Regret and resentment can be the outcome. Rather than continuously having to repeat what they said, friends and family might begin to exclude you from get-togethers.
But misunderstandings and stressed relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing assessment and that’s the good news.