From cooking meals to our jobs to social events – our lives are busy and chaotic. 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. Additional Hearing Loss Can be Prevented
Many individuals don’t appreciate how severe their hearing loss is becoming because it advances so slowly. As time passes, they begin compensating and changing their lifestyle without recognizing it. And because they don’t recognize they have hearing loss, they keep engaging in activities that make their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
Having your hearing examined can be eye-opening. There is no way to reverse any hearing loss you may have already suffered, but you can slow its advancement.
It will be helpful to learn how to keep your moderate hearing loss from worsening.
The progression of hearing loss can be slowed by more efficiently managing chronic disease, reducing your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Limiting your exposure to loud noises and wearing ear protection during loud activities will further protect your inner ears from additional damage.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Know
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you may have slowly forgotten how much you love listening to music. Not needing to ask friends and family to repeat themselves when they speak to you is something you might not even recall.
You may find yourself getting further away from doing your favorite things and spending time with friends.
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 use hearing aids but you really don’t like to wear them. You may not think they help much. Having your hearing retested by a hearing specialist will help you learn if you have the best hearing aid for your kind and degree of hearing loss and whether it’s properly adjusted.
4. It’s Possible That You’re At Risk Already
13% of people 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing loss in both ears. Among adults between the ages of 55 and 64, 8.5 percent are suffering from disabling hearing loss. Hearing loss is typically the result of environmental factors. It’s not just something that happens when you get older. Exposure to loud noise causes most of it.
If you engage in the following things, you’re at an increased risk:
- Hunt or practice shooting with firearms
- Attend movies, plays, or concerts
- Use a motorized lawnmower
- Have a noisy job
- Listen to loud music or wear earbuds
- Ride a motorcycle or snowmobile
All of these day to day activities can lead to hearing loss. You need to go have your hearing checked by a hearing professional as soon as you can if you notice a decline in your ability to hear regardless of what your age is.
5. It Will Improve Your Total Health
Individuals with neglected hearing loss have a substantially higher chance of:
- Falls that result in injuries
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Slow healing or frequent hospital admissions
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
A hearing test is not only about your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Restored
Neglected hearing loss can test the patience of your friends and family members. It’s more likely for misunderstandings to take place. The situation is frustrating for everyone. Resentment and regret might be the result. Rather than constantly needing to repeat themselves, family and friends may start to exclude you from get-togethers.
But the good news is, getting your hearing checked will help repair stressed relationships and stop misunderstandings from occurring again.