From preparing meals to our jobs to social events – our lives are busy and hectic. It probably seems like there’s not enough time to get your hearing evaluated. And perhaps you don’t even notice any hearing loss – so you think a hearing test can wait.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait:
1. You Can Protect Against Additional Hearing Loss
Many people don’t recognize how serious their hearing loss is becoming because it advances so slowly. Over time, without even realizing it, they begin compensating and changing their lifestyle. And because they don’t know they have hearing loss, they continue to engage in activities that worsen their hearing loss.
But knowledge is power.
Having your hearing tested can be eye-opening. There is no way to reverse any hearing loss you might have already suffered, but you can slow its progression.
It will be helpful to know how to keep your moderate hearing loss from getting worse.
The advancement of hearing loss can be slowed by more efficiently controlling chronic disease, decreasing your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Your ears will be protected from further harm by using ear protection when exposed to loud noises and limiting your exposure.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Know
You might have slowly forgotten your appreciation for music if you’ve been experiencing moderate hearing loss. Not needing to ask family and friends to repeat what they said when they speak to you is something you may not even remember.
You may have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite activities.
You can determine just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing exam. In the majority of cases, we can help you hear better.
3. You May Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
Perhaps you already have hearing aids but you really don’t like to wear them. You might not think they help very much. Having your hearing re-examined by a hearing specialist will help you find out if you have the right hearing aid for your kind and level of hearing loss and whether it’s properly adjusted.
4. You Might be at Risk Already
And debilitating hearing loss is endured by 8.5% of adults between 55 and 64. Hearing loss is usually the result of environmental factors. It isn’t just something that develops when you get older. The majority of it is caused by exposure to loud noise.
If you are involved in the following things, you’re at an increased risk:
- Listen to loud music or use earbuds
- Attend concerts, plays, or movies
- Ride loud vehicles such as a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Hunt or practice shooting with firearms
- 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 tested by a hearing professional as soon as possible if you notice a decline in your ability to hear regardless of how old you are.
5. It Will Improve Your Overall Health
If you neglect your hearing loss you will have a substantially higher chance of the following:
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Slow healing or frequent hospital admissions
- Depression
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
- Anxiety
- Falls that cause injuries
Getting your hearing checked is about more than only your hearing.
6. Repair Tense Relationships
Friends and family members can lose their patience when dealing with someone who has neglected hearing loss. It’s more common for misunderstandings to occur. Everyone will get frustrated with the situation, including you. Regret and resentment can be the result. Rather than continuously having to repeat themselves, friends and family might start to exclude you from get-togethers.
But misunderstandings and troubled relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing assessment and that’s the good news.