Why is getting regular hearing tests essential? Well, the fact is that hearing loss can have significant and long-term impacts on your overall health. Your quality of life will be improved, your health will be enhanced, and you will get the right treatment quicker if you get tested regularly.
Who should get a hearing test?
A loss in hearing ability can produce effects that can seriously hinder your health and wellness. Social isolation, for instance, can be a consequence of neglected hearing loss. Talking with family and friends can become more challenging, and people who suffer from hearing loss might be less likely to reach out to other people, even during routine activities like shopping or going to work. It might not be shocking that this type of social isolation can lead to mental health issues, but it might come as a surprise to learn that it can be harmful to your physical health too.
Hearing loss can cause other problems as well. For instance, neglected hearing loss has been associated with many chronic conditions, including cognitive decline and depression. Comorbidities, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease have also been associated with hearing loss.
This means that it’s generally a good plan for just about anybody to schedule a routine hearing test.
Four reasons to monitor your hearing
Getting your hearing tested can be helpful to your overall health for four specific reasons.
1. Establishing a baseline for your hearing is important
It may seem foolish to take a hearing test while your hearing is still healthy, right? Well, there are a number of good reasons to take a hearing test early. Your current level of hearing can be determined by a hearing test and that’s probably the most significant thing. This will make it much easier to identify any changes in the future. This is particularly true because hearing loss tends to progress slowly, the first symptoms are not always noticeable.
Before you notice any symptoms, a hearing exam will help detect hearing loss in its early stages.
2. Diagnose and treat problems earlier
Hearing loss is usually a gradual condition, meaning it tends to get worse over time. Consequently, identifying hearing loss early frequently means a better prognosis. This is because you’re capable of treating the condition at the earliest possible juncture.
Early treatment could include anything from taking steps to protect your hearing like using ear protection in loud spaces to the use of 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. Routine hearing assessments can help you detect changes as you go along, and make changes to your treatment plan as necessary.
4. Further damage can be avoided
Hearing loss that progresses slowly over time is normally caused by damage. Visiting us regularly to get your hearing assessed helps you identify that damage as early as possible, and it also gives you access to a significant resource: your hearing specialist. We can provide you with information, treatments, and best practices that can help keep your ears as healthy as possible.
We can help you figure out ways to keep sounds around you quieter and also help you protect your ears from day-to-day damage.
What should my hearing exam routine look like?
Generally speaking, it’s suggested that adults undergo a hearing test sometime in their 20s or 30s, on the earlier side. Unless we recommend more frequent visits or if you detect any hearing issues, at least every ten years will be the advised interval for hearing assessments.
What should I expect my hearing exam to be like? Hearing tests are usually totally non-invasive. Often, all you do is put on special headphones and listen for a specific sound.
Whether you require 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.