Our lives are busy and hectic – from our jobs to cooking meals to social activities. It most likely seems like there’s not enough time to get your hearing tested. And maybe you don’t even detect any hearing loss – so you believe a hearing test can wait.
Here’s why you shouldn’t put it off:
1. Additional Hearing Loss Can be Prevented
Because hearing loss normally progresses slowly, many individuals don’t grasp how bad it has become. Over time, they begin compensating and changing their lifestyle without knowing it. In the meantime, they continue to do things which makes their hearing loss worse.
But knowledge is power.
It can be an eye-opener to have your hearing checked. You can slow the advancement of hearing loss but there isn’t any way to undo the damage already done.
It will be helpful to know how to keep your moderate hearing loss from worsening.
Exercising, decreasing your blood pressure, and dealing with chronic diseases more effectively can slow hearing loss progression.
Limiting your exposure to loud noises and wearing earplugs during noisy activities will further protect your inner ears from additional harm.
2. You Don’t Even Realize How Much You’re Missing
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you may have slowly forgotten how much you love listening to music. Not needing to ask friends and family to repeat what they said when they talk to you is something you may not even recall.
You may have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite activities.
Having a hearing exam lets you measure your level of hearing loss. In most instances, we can help improve your hearing.
3. You May Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
Maybe you already use hearing aids but you really don’t like to wear them. You may not think they help very much. Getting your hearing retested by a hearing specialist will help you discover if you have the right hearing aid for your kind and degree of hearing loss and whether it’s effectively adjusted.
4. You Could be at Risk Already
And debilitating hearing loss is experienced by 8.5% of adults 55 to64. Environmental factors are typically to blame. It isn’t simply about aging. The majority of it is caused by exposure to loud noise.
If you take part in the following things, you’re at an increased risk:
- Listen to loud music or wear earbuds
- Use a motorized lawnmower
- Ride loud vehicles such as a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Have a loud job
- Shoot firearms
- Attend movies, plays, or concerts
Every one of these daily activities can lead to hearing loss. If you observe a decline in your hearing whatever age, you should get your hearing checked by a hearing specialist as soon as possible.
5. It Will Benefit Your Overall Health
People with neglected hearing loss have a significantly higher risk of:
- Depression
- Falls that cause injuries
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Anxiety
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
A hearing test is not just about your hearing.
6. Tense Relationships Can be Repaired
Friends and family members can lose their patience when addressing someone who has ignored their hearing loss. Misunderstandings are more common. Everyone will become aggravated with the situation, including you. Regret and bitterness can be the outcome. Family members and friends may even exclude you from get-togethers versus having to continuously repeat themselves.
But here’s the good news, getting your hearing examined will help mend stressed relationships and stop misunderstandings from happening again.