Why is having regular hearing assessments significant? Well, the reality is that hearing loss can have significant and long-term effects on your general health. Your quality of life will be improved, your health will be improved, and you will get proper treatment faster if you get tested regularly.
Who should get a hearing exam?
Your health and well-being can be seriously affected by neglected hearing loss. For instance, hearing loss can result in intense social isolation. Conversations with family and friends can become more challenging, and those with hearing loss may be less likely to reach out to other people, even during normal activities like shopping or going to work. It might not be shocking that this kind of social isolation can result in mental health issues, but it might come as a surprise to discover that it can be detrimental to your physical health too.
Other health issues can come from untreated hearing loss also. For instance, untreated hearing loss has been associated with many chronic conditions, including dementia and depression. It’s also been associated with various comorbidities, including diabetes, heart issues, and high blood pressure.
This means that it’s generally a good idea for just about anyone to schedule a routine hearing test.
You should get your hearing tested for these four reasons
There are four significant reasons why checking your hearing can be worthwhile to your general health.
1. You can identify the baseline for your healthy hearing
It may seem ridiculous to take a hearing test while your hearing is still healthy, right? Well, getting a hearing exam early is a good idea for several reasons. Your current level of hearing can be established by a hearing test and that’s probably the most significant thing. If your hearing changes in the future, this will make it easier to identify. Early symptoms of hearing loss frequently go undetected because hearing loss often progresses slowly over time.
Getting a baseline hearing exam will help detect issues well before you observe them.
2. Diagnose and treat problems earlier
Hearing loss is typically a gradual condition, meaning it often gets worse 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.
Early treatment might include anything from taking steps to protect your hearing such as using ear protection in loud spaces to the use of hearing aids. Many of the related issues like dementia, social isolation, and depression can be avoided with early treatment.
3. It’s easier to evaluate future changes
Even if you are diagnosed with hearing loss, that doesn’t mean your hearing won’t continue to get worse as you get older. Regular hearing assessments can facilitate early detection and your treatment plan can be adjusted as needed.
4. You can avoid further damage to your ears
Most hearing loss is caused by damage, the type of damage that occurs slowly and over time. Your hearing specialist is a significant resource and visiting us regularly will help you identify any hearing loss as early as possible. We can provide you with information, treatments, and best practices that can help keep your ears as healthy as possible.
For instance, we can help you figure out ways to safeguard your ears from day-to-day damage or establish strategies created to help you keep sounds around you quieter.
How frequently should I get my hearing examined?
In general, it’s recommended that adults undergo a hearing test sometime in their 20s or 30s, on the earlier side. Unless we suggest more frequent visits or if you detect any hearing issues, at least every ten years will be the advised interval for hearing exams.
But maybe you’re thinking: what should I expect at my hearing exam? Hearing tests are usually totally non-invasive. Typically, 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 test schedule should be.