Our lives are busy and chaotic – from our jobs to preparing meals to social activities. It probably seems like there’s not enough time to have your hearing tested. And maybe you think it can wait because you don’t believe you’re afflicted by hearing loss.
Here’s why you shouldn’t put it off:
1. You Can Prevent Further Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss typically advances slowly, many people don’t realize how bad it’s become. Over time, they start compensating and changing their lifestyle without recognizing it. And because they don’t realize 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 checked. You can slow the progression of hearing loss but there isn’t any way to reverse the damage already done.
It will be helpful to find out how to keep your moderate hearing loss from worsening.
The progression of hearing loss can be slowed by more efficiently controlling chronic disease, reducing your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Your ears will be protected from further damage by using ear protection when subjected to loud noises and limiting your exposure.
2. You Don’t Even Realize How Much You’re Missing
You might have slowly forgotten your appreciation for music if you’ve been dealing with moderate hearing loss. You might not remember what it’s like to have a discussion without asking friends or family members to repeat themselves.
You might have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite experiences.
Having a hearing exam lets you assess your level of hearing loss. In the majority of cases, we can help you hear better.
3. You May Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
If you already use a hearing aid, you might not want to wear it. You might not feel like it enhances your listening experience. Getting your hearing retested by a hearing specialist will help you discover if you have the best hearing aid for your kind and degree of hearing loss and whether it’s correctly adjusted.
4. It’s Possible That You’re At Risk Already
Measurable hearing loss can be detected in both ears in 13% of U.S. citizens (30 million people) 12 and up. And debilitating hearing loss is experienced by 8.5% of adults 55 to64. Hearing loss is usually caused by environmental factors. It’s not just something that happens when you get older. Exposure to loud noise causes most of it.
If you engage in the following activities, you’re at a greater risk:
- Attend movies, plays, or concerts
- Ride loud vehicles including a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Shoot guns
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Mow the lawn
- Work at a loud job
All of these day-to-day activities can lead to hearing loss. You need to go have your hearing examined by a hearing professional as soon as you can if you detect a decline in your ability to hear regardless of how old you are.
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 out on doctor appointments
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Falls that cause injuries
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
- Slow healing or frequent hospital admissions
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
Having your hearing tested is about more than just your hearing.
6. Tense Relationships Can be Repaired
Neglected hearing loss can try the patience of your friends and family members. It’s more likely for misunderstandings to occur. Individuals will get aggravated with the situation, including you. Regret and resentment can be the result. Rather than constantly having to repeat what they said, family and friends may begin to exclude you from get-togethers.
But here’s the good news, having your hearing tested will help repair troubled relationships and prevent misunderstandings from occurring again.