Why is getting routine hearing assessments essential? That’s because your overall health can be significantly affected by hearing loss. Your quality of life will be improved, your health will be enhanced, and you will get the right treatment faster if you get screened regularly.
Getting a hearing test – who should do it?
A loss in hearing ability can create effects that can greatly hinder your health and wellness. For example, hearing loss can result in extreme social isolation. Conversations with family and friends can become more difficult, and people who suffer from hearing loss might be less likely to reach out to other people, even during normal activities like grocery shopping or going to work. It may not be shocking that this type of social isolation can result in mental health problems, but it might come as a surprise to find out that it can be detrimental to your physical health too.
Other health concerns can come from untreated hearing loss also. For example, neglected hearing loss has been associated with many chronic conditions, including cognitive decline and depression. It’s also been associated with various comorbidities, including diabetes, heart issues, and high blood pressure.
So scheduling a routine hearing test will be a good strategy for pretty much everybody.
Four reasons to check your hearing
There are four significant reasons why checking your hearing can be beneficial to your general health.
1. Establishing a baseline for your hearing is important
It might seem silly to take a hearing test while your hearing is still healthy, right? Well, there are a number of good reasons to get a hearing test early. The most significant is that a hearing exam will give us a precise picture of your present hearing health. This will make it much easier to identify any changes in the future. Early symptoms of hearing loss often go unnoticed because hearing loss usually develops slowly over time.
Getting a baseline hearing exam will help detect issues long before you observe them.
2. Early diagnosis and treatment is important
Hearing loss normally advances gradually over time. You’ll have a better prognosis, as a result, if you catch your hearing loss early. This is because you’re capable of treating the condition at the earliest possible juncture.
When you get treatment early it will mean doing things like using ear protection or potentially wearing hearing aids. Many of the related issues like cognitive decline, social isolation, and depression can be avoided with early treatment.
3. Future changes will be easier to assess
Your hearing loss will keep progressing even after you get diagnosed. Regular hearing exams can help you identify changes as you go along, and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
4. Further damage can be prevented
Hearing loss that develops slowly over time is normally caused by damage. Your hearing specialist is a substantial resource and seeing us regularly will help you detect any hearing loss as early as possible. We can help you keep your ears as healthy as possible by providing you with treatments, best practices, and information.
For example, we can help you figure out ways to safeguard your ears from day-to-day damage or establish strategies designed to help you keep sounds around you quieter.
How often should I get my hearing tested?
On the earlier side, adults should put off no longer than their early twenties to start routine hearing tests. Unless we recommend more frequent visits or if you notice any hearing problems, at least every ten years will be the advised interval for hearing exams.
What should I expect my hearing test to be like? In general, they’re entirely non-invasive procedures. Usually, you simply listen for some tones in a special pair of headphones.
Whether you need some hearing protection or a new set of hearing aids, we will be able to help you with the best hearing care. And we can help you figure out what your hearing exam schedule should be.