Our lives are busy and chaotic – from our jobs to preparing meals to social events. It probably seems like there’s never enough time to have your hearing examined. And perhaps you don’t even detect any hearing loss – so you think a hearing test can wait.
Here’s why you shouldn’t put it off:
1. Additional Hearing Loss Can be Avoided
Because hearing loss often progresses gradually, many people don’t realize how bad it has become. As time passes, they start compensating and making lifestyle changes without recognizing it. And because they don’t know they have hearing loss, they continue to engage in activities that worsen their hearing loss.
But knowledge is power.
It can be an eye-opener to get your hearing checked. You can slow the progression of hearing loss but there isn’t any way to undo the damage already done.
If you are suffering from moderate hearing loss, you will want to find out how to keep it from getting worse.
The advancement of hearing loss can be slowed by more effectively managing chronic disease, reducing your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Reducing your exposure to loud sounds and wearing earplugs during noisy activities will further protect your inner ears from additional harm.
2. You Don’t Even Know How Much You’re Missing
You may have gradually forgotten your love for music if you’ve been experiencing moderate hearing loss. You might not recall what it’s like to have a discussion without asking family or friends to repeat themselves.
You may have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite experiences.
You can determine just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing test. In most cases, we can help make improvements to your hearing.
3. You Might Enhance Your Hearing Aid Experience
If you already use a hearing aid, you might not want to wear it. You may not feel like it improves your listening experience. Going to a hearing specialist and getting your hearing re-evaluated will guarantee you have the hearing aids that work best for you and that they’re set up for your personal listening requirements.
4. It’s Possible That You’re Already at Risk
Thirteen percent of individuals 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing loss in both ears. And debilitating hearing loss is endured by 8.5% of adults between 55 and 64. Environmental factors are typically to blame. It isn’t simply about getting old. Exposure to loud noise causes most of it.
If you engage in the following activities, you’re at a higher risk:
- Attend movies, plays, or concerts
- Use a motorized lawnmower
- Hunt or practice shooting with firearms
- Have a noisy job
- Ride loud vehicles such as a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
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 possible if you detect a decline in your ability to hear regardless of how old you are.
5. Your General Health Will Improve
If you ignore your hearing loss you will have a substantially higher chance of the following:
- Depression
- Slow healing or frequent hospital admissions
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
- Falls that cause injuries
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
- Anxiety
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
Having your hearing checked is about more than just your hearing.
6. Repair Tense Relationships
Friends and family members can lose their patience when dealing with someone who has ignored their hearing loss. Misunderstandings are more likely. Individuals will become irritated with the situation, including you. Bitterness and regret could be the result. Rather than constantly having to repeat what they said, friends and family might start to exclude you from gatherings.
But misunderstandings and stressed relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing test and that’s the good news.