The majority of hearing loss is slight at first, and you might not even recognize a change. In fact, it is normally family and friends who tip off someone to their hearing issue. While hearing exams are a routine part of childhood, many adults tend to overlook this essential checkup, unlike routine eye exams that are often prioritized.

Indications That You May Require a Hearing Assessment

There are lots of everyday situations where you might not be hearing everything and definitely not hearing what others do.

• Do you often request people to repeat what they said?
• Are you finding yourself cranking up the volume on your TV?
• Is it difficult to hear everyone at a loud restaurant?
• Are there misunderstandings at work or at home causing disputes?

These type of scenarios can happen on a daily basis and continue to affect relationships.

Important Benefits of Scheduling Routine Hearing Exams

According to the standards provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults are advised to have a hearing assessment every 10 years before reaching the age of 50. For adults aged 50 and above, it is advised to have a hearing screening every 3 years.

1. Family History

If your family members are dealing with hearing difficulties, it is a good idea to schedule a hearing examination with an expert specializing in hearing health.

2. Establish a Reference Point for Your Current Hearing Level

By understanding your hearing ability in each ear, you can identify potential issues or areas for improvement.
You may be missing certain sounds or experiencing subtle hearing problems that could indicate the need for further assessments or interventions.

3. Monitors Progress Over Time

Each new test will compare new data with previous assessments. Some changes occur slowly, and the tests will recognize any changes even if you don’t.

4. Helps in Recognizing and Addressing Issues at an Early Stage

New tests track changes and how rapidly they are happening, which can help diagnose and manage issues early, such as a buildup of earwax or noise-induced hearing loss.

5. Identify Health Issues

In some cases hearing loss is a symptom of an intrinsic medical condition like diabetes and high blood pressure (linked to hearing loss and tinnitus), plus cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. You might be able to relieve hearing loss by managing the medical conditions causing it.

6. Prevent Further Damage

If a patient does not get treatment, they might experience feelings of depression and anxiety in social settings, leading to increased seclusion and worsening of their depression. Seniors with hearing issues can have increased accidents when they don’t hear warning signals like car horns, smoke alarms, and other sounds that mean danger. Additionally, research has revealed a connection between unaddressed hearing loss and an elevated danger of developing dementia and experiencing falls.

Getting the Answers You Need

Perhaps you have suspected you have a hearing loss. You now have the information you need, including the awareness that hearing aids can have a positive impact on multiple areas of your life, improving not only your ability to hear, but also your connections with loved ones, colleagues, and social circle.

After receiving the right hearing aids to address your hearing loss, you will experience enhanced hearing ability in conversations, work meetings, and while enjoying the sounds of your child’s laughter or a family member’s voice.

Contact us if you want to schedule a hearing test or if you think you are experiencing hearing loss.