The onset of most hearing loss is typically gradual and can go unnoticed, often being brought to one’s attention by friends and family. Unlike regular vision tests for children, most adults tend to overlook scheduling routine hearing tests.
There are numerous reasons to consider regular hearing assessments.
Why adults should have their hearing tested regularly
According to the guidelines from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, adults should undergo a hearing screening every 10 years until the age of 50.
Subsequently, individuals aged 50 and older are advised to have a hearing screening every 3 years.
Set your baseline hearing
Understanding your hearing capacity in each ear allows you to identify any potential issues. It reveals sounds you may be missing and potential impairments that could signal the need for further tests or treatments.
Measure future changes to your hearing
Every successive test will compare new information with previous assessments. Some changes may occur gradually, and these tests will pinpoint any changes, even if you may not be immediately aware of them.
Family history of hearing loss
If other family members experience hearing difficulties, it’s a compelling reason to arrange a hearing test with a specialist.
Diagnose and treat early problems
Recent tests monitor changes and their rate of occurrence, aiding in the early diagnosis and treatment of issues like earwax accumulation or hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noises.
Prevent further damage
When hearing loss is left untreated, patients may experience depression and anxiety, avoiding social situations and leading to increased isolation, further exacerbating depressive symptoms.
Among seniors with hearing ailments, the lack of awareness to warning signals such as car horns, smoke alarms, and other crucial sounds can result in heightened risks of accidents and injuries.
Untreated hearing loss is linked to conditions like dementia and an increased risk of falls.
Detect other medical conditions
Sometimes hearing loss is a symptom of an underlying medical condition like diabetes and high blood pressure (linked to hearing loss and tinnitus), plus cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.
You may be able to relieve hearing loss by treating the medical conditions causing them.
Seeing a hearing specialist
If you suspect you have a hearing loss, now you have the answers, including the understanding that hearing aids can enhance not only your hearing but also your relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
With the proper hearing aids addressing your hearing loss, you’ll rediscover the sounds you’ve missed, from birds singing and the wind in the trees to a baby’s gurgling and the ticking of a clock.
Don’t miss out on crucial instructions during work meetings, the joy of your child’s laughter, or the comforting voice of a loved one.
Find a hearing specialist near you to schedule a hearing test or if you have been experiencing hearing loss.
