From preparing meals to our jobs to social events – our lives are busy and chaotic. Getting your hearing tested most likely doesn’t seem like something you can find the time to do. And maybe you think it can wait because you don’t recognize you’re experiencing hearing loss.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait:
1. You Can Stop Additional Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss typically progresses gradually, many individuals don’t realize how bad it has become. After a while, without even realizing it, they start compensating and changing their lifestyle. And because they don’t recognize they have hearing loss, they keep engaging in activities that worsen their hearing loss.
But knowing is half the battle.
It can be an eye-opener to have your hearing tested. There is no way to undo any hearing loss you might already have, but you can slow its progression.
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you will want to find out how to keep it from getting worse.
Exercising, reducing your blood pressure, and dealing with chronic diseases more thoroughly can slow hearing loss progression.
Your ears will be protected from further damage by wearing ear protection when subjected to loud sounds and limiting your exposure.
2. You Don’t Even Realize How Much You’re Missing
You might have gradually forgotten your love for music if you’ve been going through moderate hearing loss. You might not recall what it’s like to have a discussion without asking friends or family members to repeat themselves.
You may find yourself getting further away from doing your favorite things and spending time with friends.
You can figure out just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing assessment. In the majority of cases, we can help you hear better.
3. You May Enhance Your Hearing Aid Experience
If you already use a hearing aid, you may not want to wear it. You might not feel like it helps your listening experience. Getting your hearing re-examined by a hearing specialist will help you learn if you have the correct hearing aid for your kind and level of hearing loss and whether it’s correctly adjusted.
4. It’s Possible That You’re Already at Risk
Among adults ages 55 to 64, 8.5 percent are experiencing disabling hearing loss. Environmental factors are usually to blame. It isn’t simply about getting old. Exposure to loud noise causes most of it.
If you engage in the following things, you’re at an increased risk:
- Work at a noisy job
- Attend plays, concerts, movies
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Hunt or practice shooting with firearms
- Mow the lawn
- Ride a snowmobile or motorcycle
Hearing loss can be caused by any of these common activities. If you see a decline in your hearing at any age, you should get your hearing tested by a hearing specialist as soon as you can.
5. It Will Benefit Your Overall Health
If you neglect your hearing loss you will have a significantly higher risk of the following:
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Falls that cause injuries
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
- Slow healing or repeated hospital visits
A hearing test is not just about your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Restored
Friends and family members can lose their patience when addressing a person who has ignored their hearing loss. It’s more common for misunderstandings to take place. People will become irritated with the situation, including you. Regret and resentment can be the result. Rather than continuously needing to repeat what they said, friends and family may start to exclude you from get-togethers.
But misunderstandings and troubled relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing assessment and that’s the good news.