From cooking meals to our jobs to social events – our lives are busy and chaotic. Getting your hearing Examined most likely doesn’t seem like something you can find the time to do. 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
Many people don’t appreciate how severe their hearing loss is becoming because it advances so gradually. After a while, without even realizing it, they start compensating and changing their lifestyle. In the meantime, they continue to do things which makes their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
Having your hearing checked can be eye-opening. There isn’t any way to undo any hearing loss you may have already suffered, but you can slow its advancement.
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you will want to understand how to stop it from getting worse.
Exercising, lowering your blood pressure, and managing chronic diseases more thoroughly can slow hearing loss progression.
Limiting your exposure to loud noises and wearing earplugs during noisy 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 might have slowly forgotten how much you love listening to music. Not needing to ask family and friends to repeat themselves when they talk to you is something you may not even remember.
You may find yourself getting further away from doing your favorite activities and spending time with friends.
Getting a hearing examination lets you assess your level of hearing loss. In most situations, we can help improve your hearing.
3. You May Enhance Your Hearing Aid Experience
Perhaps you already have hearing aids but you really don’t like to use them. You may not feel like it improves your listening experience. Going to a hearing specialist and having your hearing re-checked will ensure you have the hearing aids that work best for you and that they are set up for your personal listening requirements.
4. You Could be at Risk Already
Measurable hearing loss can be found in both ears in 13% of U.S. citizens (30 million individuals) 12 and older. Among adults ages 55 to 64, 8.5 percent are suffering from disabling hearing loss. Environmental factors are commonly to blame. It isn’t simply something that occurs 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:
- Go to plays, movies, and concerts
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Mow the lawn
- Hunt or practice shooting with firearms
- Work at a loud job
- Ride loud vehicles such as a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
All of these daily activities can cause hearing loss. You need to go have your hearing examined by a hearing professional as soon as possible if you notice a decline in your ability to hear regardless of what your age is.
5. Your General Health Will Improve
Individuals with untreated hearing loss have a substantially higher risk of:
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Falls that result in injuries
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
- Slow healing or frequent hospital visits
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Anxiety
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Depression
A hearing test is not only about your hearing.
6. Restore Tense Relationships
Neglected hearing loss can try the patience of your friends and family members. Misunderstandings are more likely. Everyone will get frustrated with the situation, including you. Resentment and regret could follow. Rather than constantly needing to repeat what they said, friends and family might start to exclude you from gatherings.
But the good news is, having your hearing examined will help repair troubled relationships and stop misunderstandings from occurring again.