Our lives are busy and hectic – from our jobs to preparing meals to social activities. Having your hearing Analyzed most likely doesn’t seem like something you can spare the time to do. And maybe you don’t even recognize any hearing loss – so you believe a hearing test can wait.
Here’s why you shouldn’t put it off:
1. You Can Stop Additional Hearing Loss
Many individuals don’t appreciate how serious their hearing loss is becoming because it progresses so slowly. After a while, without even realizing it, they begin compensating and making changes to their lifestyle. In the meantime, they continue to do things to make their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
It can be an eye-opener to have your hearing checked. You can slow the advancement of hearing loss but there is no way to undo the damage already done.
If you are enduring moderate hearing loss, you will want to understand how to keep it from getting worse.
Exercising, reducing your blood pressure, and dealing with chronic diseases more thoroughly can slow hearing loss advancement.
Limiting your exposure to loud sounds and wearing ear protection during loud activities will further protect your inner ears from additional damage.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Know
If you are dealing with moderate hearing loss, you might have slowly forgotten how much you enjoy listening to music. You may not remember what it’s like to have a conversation without asking family or friends to repeat themselves.
You might have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite activities.
Getting a hearing exam allows you to evaluate your degree of hearing loss. In most situations, we can help make improvements to your hearing.
3. You May Enhance Your Hearing Aid Experience
If you already have a hearing aid, you may not want to use it. You may not think they help much. Going to a hearing specialist and getting your hearing re-examined will ensure you have the hearing aids that work best for you and that they are set up for your individual listening requirements.
4. You Might be at Risk Already
Thirteen percent of people 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing loss in both ears. Among adults ages 55 to 64, 8.5 percent are experiencing debilitating hearing loss. Environmental factors are typically to blame. It’s not simply about aging. Most of it is caused by exposure to loud noise.
If you participate in the following activities, you’re at an increased risk:
- Mow the lawn
- Listen to loud music or wear earbuds
- Attend movies, plays, or concerts
- Ride loud vehicles including a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Have a loud job
- Hunt or practice shooting with firearms
Hearing loss can be triggered by any of these ordinary activities. You need to go have your hearing tested by a hearing professional as soon as you can if you detect a decline in your ability to hear regardless of what your age is.
5. Your Over-all Health Will Improve
If you ignore your hearing loss you will have a considerably higher risk of the following:
- Anxiety
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
- Falls that result in injuries
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Depression
A hearing test is not just about your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Repaired
Neglected hearing loss can test the patience of your family members and friends. Misunderstandings are more common. The situation is aggravating for everyone. Regret and bitterness can be the outcome. Friends and family members may even exclude you from get-togethers rather than needing to constantly repeat themselves.
But misunderstandings and troubled relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing assessment and that’s the good news.
