From preparing meals to our jobs to social activities – our lives are busy and hectic. Having your hearing Evaluated most likely doesn’t seem like something you can find the time to do. And perhaps you believe it can wait because you don’t recognize you’re experiencing hearing loss.
You shouldn’t wait – here’s why:
1. You Can Protect Against Further Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss often advances gradually, many people don’t grasp how bad it’s become. Over time, without even realizing it, they start compensating and changing their lifestyle. 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 examined. There is no way to undo any hearing loss you may already have, but you can slow its advancement.
It will be helpful to find out how to keep your moderate hearing loss from getting worse.
Exercising, decreasing your blood pressure, and managing chronic diseases more thoroughly can slow hearing loss advancement.
Reducing your exposure to loud sounds and wearing earplugs during noisy activities will further safeguard your inner ears from additional damage.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Know
You might have slowly forgotten your love for music if you’ve been experiencing moderate hearing loss. You might not remember what it’s like to have a conversation without asking friends or family members to repeat themselves.
You may have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite activities.
You can determine just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing exam. In the majority of cases, we can help you hear better.
3. You May Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
Perhaps you already use hearing aids but you really don’t like to wear them. You might not think they help much. Getting your hearing re-examined by a hearing specialist will help you learn if you have the right hearing aid for your kind and degree of hearing loss and whether it’s effectively adjusted.
4. You May be at Risk Already
Measurable hearing loss can be detected in both ears in 13% of U.S. citizens (30 million individuals) 12 and up. Among adults between the ages of 55 and 64, 8.5% are suffering from disabling hearing loss. Environmental factors are commonly to blame. It’s not simply about aging. Exposure to loud noise causes most of it.
If you participate in the following activities, you’re at a higher risk:
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Ride loud vehicles such as a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Work at a noisy job
- Mow the lawn
- Attend plays, concerts, movies
- Shoot guns
Hearing loss can be a consequence of any of these common 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 what your age is.
5. Your General Health Will Improve
If you ignore your hearing loss you will have a considerably higher chance of the following:
- Falls that cause injuries
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Slow healing or repeated hospital visits
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
Having your hearing checked is about more than only your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Restored
Untreated hearing loss can test the patience of your family members and friends. Misunderstandings are more likely. The situation is irritating for everybody. Regret and bitterness can be the result. Friends and family members may even exclude you from gatherings rather than needing to constantly repeat what they said.
But misunderstandings and stressed relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing assessment and that’s the good news.