Why is having routine hearing assessments essential? That’s because your overall health can be significantly affected by hearing loss. Having your hearing screened regularly can help you detect hearing loss early, get care quicker, and, improve your health, well-being, and quality of life.
Getting a hearing exam – who should do it?
A loss in hearing ability can produce effects that can significantly hinder your health and well-being. For example, hearing loss can result in extreme social isolation. Even while undertaking tasks like going to the supermarket, people who suffer from hearing loss will often avoid reaching out to friends and family because they have a difficult time making out conversations. It may not be shocking that this kind of social isolation can lead to mental health problems, but it may come as a surprise to learn that it can be detrimental to your physical health too.
Hearing loss can trigger other problems as well. Numerous chronic conditions, including depression and cognitive decline, have been associated with neglected hearing loss. It’s also been linked to various comorbidities, including diabetes, heart issues, and high blood pressure.
As a result, it’s generally a good plan for just about anyone to schedule a routine hearing test.
Four reasons to monitor your hearing
There are four significant reasons why checking your hearing can be worthwhile to your overall health.
1. Establishing a baseline for your hearing is significant
It may seem silly to get your hearing tested while your hearing is still healthy, right? Well, there are a number of good reasons to get a hearing exam early. The most significant is that a hearing test will give us a detailed picture of your current hearing health. If your hearing changes in the future, this will make it simpler to detect. Early symptoms of hearing loss often go unnoticed because hearing loss usually develops slowly over time.
Before you notice any symptoms, a hearing exam will help identify hearing loss in its early stages.
2. Diagnose and treat issues earlier
Hearing loss typically progresses gradually over time. As a result, identifying hearing loss early frequently means a better prognosis. If you treat the condition as early as possible, you will have more positive outcomes.
Early treatment could include anything from taking measures to protect your hearing like using ear protection in loud spaces to using hearing aids. Treatment can help you avoid many of the related issues listed above, including dementia, depression, and social isolation.
3. It’s easier to assess future changes
Even if you are diagnosed with hearing loss, that doesn’t mean your hearing won’t continue to get worse as you get older. Regular hearing exams can help you detect changes as you go along, and make changes to your treatment plan as necessary.
4. You can prevent additional damage to your ears
Hearing loss that progresses gradually over time is normally caused by damage. Visiting us regularly to get your hearing checked helps you identify that damage as early as possible, and it also gives you access to a substantial resource: your hearing specialist. We can help you keep your hearing as healthy as possible by providing you with treatments, best practices, and information.
For instance, we can help you figure out ways to safeguard your ears from day-to-day damage or develop strategies created to help you keep sounds around you quieter.
How frequently should I have my hearing assessed?
Generally speaking, it’s suggested that adults undergo a hearing exam sometime in their 20s or 30s, on the earlier side. Unless we suggest more frequent visits or if you notice any hearing problems, at least every ten years will be the advised interval for hearing exams.
What should I expect my hearing exam to be like? Hearing tests are usually entirely non-invasive. Often, all you do is wear special headphones and listen for a specific sound.
We will be able to help you get the treatment you require, whether you need a set of hearing aids or you just need to safeguard your ears. And a hearing exam can help you figure out when the best time to get your care might be.