Our lives are busy and chaotic – from our jobs to preparing food to social activities. Getting your hearing tested probably doesn’t seem like something you can find the time to do. And maybe you don’t even notice any hearing loss – so you think a hearing test can wait.
Here’s why you shouldn’t put it off:
1. You Can Prevent Additional Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss usually advances slowly, many people don’t recognize how bad it has become. As time passes, they start compensating and making lifestyle changes without realizing it. And because they don’t recognize they have hearing loss, they continue to engage in activities that make their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
Having your hearing tested can be eye-opening. You can slow the progression of hearing loss but there is no way to undo the damage already done.
It will be helpful to learn how to keep your moderate hearing loss from worsening.
Exercising, reducing your blood pressure, and dealing with chronic diseases more thoroughly can slow hearing loss progression.
Reducing your exposure to loud noises and wearing ear protection during noisy activities will further protect your inner ears from additional harm.
2. You Don’t Even Know How Much You’re Missing
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you may have slowly forgotten how much you enjoy listening to music. You may not recall what it’s like to have a conversation without asking friends or family members to repeat themselves.
You may have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite experiences.
Getting a hearing examination allows you to assess your level of hearing loss. In most instances, we can help make improvements to your hearing.
3. You May Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
If you already have a hearing aid, you may not want to use it. You might not feel like it improves your listening experience. Visiting a hearing specialist and getting your hearing re-examined will ensure you have the hearing aids that work best for you and that they’re adjusted for your personal listening needs.
4. You Could be at Risk Already
Among adults between the ages of 55 and 64, 8.5% are experiencing debilitating hearing loss. Environmental factors are commonly to blame. It’s not just something that happens when you get older. Exposure to loud sound causes the majority of it.
If you engage in the following things, you’re at an increased risk:
- Work at a noisy job
- Use a motorized lawnmower
- Ride a snowmobile or motorcycle
- Shoot guns
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Attend concerts, plays, or movies
Hearing loss can be caused by any of these common activities. If you observe a decline in your hearing whatever age, you should get your hearing checked by a hearing specialist as soon as you can.
5. It Will Improve Your Total Health
People with neglected hearing loss have a significantly higher risk of:
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Slow healing or repeated hospital visits
- Anxiety
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Depression
- Falls that cause injuries
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
A hearing test is not only about your hearing.
6. Restore Tense Relationships
Untreated hearing loss can test the patience of your friends and family members. Misunderstandings are more likely. Everyone will become frustrated with the situation, including you. Bitterness and regret could follow. Rather than continuously needing to repeat what they said, family and friends may begin to exclude you from gatherings.
But here’s the good news, having your hearing examined will help restore stressed relationships and stop misunderstandings from occurring again.