Our lives are busy and chaotic – from our jobs to cooking meals to social activities. It most likely seems like there’s never enough time to get your hearing examined. And maybe you believe it can wait because you don’t believe you’re experiencing hearing loss.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait:
1. Additional Hearing Loss Can be Prevented
Because hearing loss often advances gradually, many people don’t grasp how bad it’s become. Over time, they begin compensating and changing their lifestyle without realizing it. All the while, they continue to do things which makes their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
It can be an eye-opener to get your hearing examined. There isn’t any way to undo any hearing loss you might already have, but you can slow its advancement.
It will be helpful to know how to keep your moderate hearing loss from getting worse.
The advancement of hearing loss can be slowed by more effectively managing chronic disease, lowering your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Your ears will be protected from further harm by wearing ear protection when subjected to loud noises and limiting your exposure.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Realize
You may have slowly forgotten your love for music if you’ve been going through moderate hearing loss. Not needing to ask family and friends to repeat themselves when they talk to you is something you might not even remember.
You may find yourself getting further away from doing your favorite activities and spending time with friends.
You can determine just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing assessment. In the majority of situations, we can help you hear better.
3. You Might Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
If you already have a hearing aid, you may not want to use it. You might not think they help much. Getting your hearing retested by a hearing specialist will help you find out if you have the correct hearing aid for your kind and degree of hearing loss and whether it’s effectively adjusted.
4. You May be at Risk Already
13% of people 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing loss in both ears. Among adults between the ages of 55 and 64, 8.5% are experiencing disabling hearing loss. Environmental factors are typically to blame. It isn’t just something that happens when you get older. Exposure to loud noise causes most of it.
If you are involved in the following things, you’re at a higher risk:
- Mow the lawn
- Hunt or target shoot with firearms
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Have a noisy job
- Attend concerts, plays, or movies
- Ride loud vehicles including a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
All of these daily activities can lead to hearing loss. If you see a decline in your hearing at any age, you should have your hearing examined by a hearing specialist as soon as possible.
5. It Will Improve Your Overall Health
If you neglect your hearing loss you will have a considerably higher risk of the following:
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Depression
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
- Anxiety
- Falls that result in injuries
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
A hearing test is not only about your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Repaired
Friends and family members can lose their patience when dealing with someone who has neglected hearing loss. It’s more common for misunderstandings to occur. Individuals will become frustrated with the situation, including you. Regret and bitterness can be the result. Rather than continuously needing to repeat themselves, family and friends might begin to exclude you from get-togethers.
But the good news is, having your hearing tested will help restore stressed relationships and stop misunderstandings from happening again.