Our lives are busy and hectic – from our jobs to preparing meals to social events. It most likely seems like there’s not enough time to get your hearing evaluated. And maybe 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 Stop Additional Hearing Loss
Many individuals don’t recognize how severe their hearing loss is becoming because it progresses so slowly. Over time, without even realizing it, they begin compensating and making changes to their lifestyle. In the meantime, they continue to do things which makes their hearing loss worse.
But knowing is half the battle.
Having your hearing tested can be eye-opening. You can slow the advancement of hearing loss but there isn’t any way to undo the damage already done.
It will be helpful to find out how to keep your moderate hearing loss from getting worse.
The advancement of hearing loss can be slowed by more effectively managing chronic disease, decreasing your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Limiting your exposure to loud sounds and wearing earplugs during loud activities will further safeguard your inner ears from additional harm.
2. You Don’t Even Know How Much You’re Missing
You may 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 talk to you is something you may not even recall.
You might have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite activities.
You can learn just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing test. In most instances, we can help improve your hearing.
3. You Might Enhance Your Hearing Aid Experience
If you already use a hearing aid, you may not want to wear it. You might not feel like it helps your listening experience. Having your hearing retested by a hearing specialist will help you discover 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
13% of individuals 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing loss in both ears. And debilitating hearing loss is endured by 8.5% of adults between 55 and 64. Environmental factors are commonly to blame. It’s not simply something that happens when you get older. Exposure to loud sound causes most of it.
If you take part in the following activities, you’re at a higher risk:
- Use a motorized lawnmower
- Have a loud job
- Ride loud vehicles such as a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Attend movies, plays, or concerts
- Listen to loud music or wear earbuds
- Shoot guns
Hearing loss can be triggered by any of these common activities. You need to go have your hearing tested by a hearing professional as soon as you can if you detect a decline in your ability to hear regardless of what your age is.
5. It Will Benefit Your Overall Health
If you ignore your hearing loss you will have a significantly higher chance of the following:
- Falls that cause injuries
- Anxiety
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Depression
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
A hearing test is not only about your hearing.
6. Repair Strained Relationships
Friends and family members can lose their patience when addressing someone who has neglected hearing loss. Misunderstandings are more common. The situation is irritating for everyone. Bitterness and regret may be the result. Rather than continuously needing to repeat themselves, friends and family might begin to exclude you from gatherings.
But misunderstandings and troubled relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing test and that’s the good news.