Our lives are busy and chaotic – from our jobs to preparing food to social events. It probably seems like there’s not enough time to get your hearing examined. And maybe you don’t even recognize any hearing loss – so you believe a hearing test can wait.
You shouldn’t put it off – here’s why:
1. You Can Stop Additional Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss typically progresses slowly, many people don’t recognize how bad it has become. After a while, without even noticing it, they begin compensating and making changes to their lifestyle. And because they don’t realize they have hearing loss, they keep engaging in activities that make their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
Getting your hearing tested can be eye-opening. There is no way to undo any hearing loss you might already have, but you can slow its progression.
If you are enduring moderate hearing loss, you will want to know how to keep it from getting worse.
The advancement of hearing loss can be slowed by more effectively managing chronic disease, reducing your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Reducing 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 Realize How Much You’re Missing
If you are dealing with 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 may not even recall.
You might find yourself getting further away from doing your favorite activities and spending time with friends.
Having a hearing exam allows you to evaluate your degree of hearing loss. In the majority of situations, 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 use them. You may not feel like it improves your listening experience. Getting your hearing re-examined by a hearing specialist will help you find out if you have the best hearing aid for your type and degree of hearing loss and whether it’s correctly adjusted.
4. It’s Possible That You’re Already at Risk
Thirteen percent 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 55 to64. Environmental factors are usually to blame. It’s not simply about aging. Exposure to loud sound causes most of it.
If you take part in the following activities, you’re at a greater risk:
- Work at a loud job
- Shoot firearms
- Attend movies, plays, or concerts
- Use a motorized lawnmower
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Ride loud vehicles like a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
All of these daily 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 Benefit Your Overall Health
If you ignore your hearing loss you will have a substantially higher risk of the following:
- Depression
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Anxiety
- Falls that cause injuries
- Slow healing or frequent hospital admissions
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
Having your hearing checked is about more than only your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Repaired
Untreated hearing loss can try the patience of your family members and friends. Misunderstandings are more common. The situation is frustrating for everybody. Bitterness and regret might be the result. Friends and family members might even exclude you from gatherings versus needing to constantly repeat themselves.
But misunderstandings and stressed relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing assessment and that’s the good news.