Why is it essential to get your hearing screened regularly? Well, the fact is that hearing loss can have considerable and long-term effects on your overall health. Getting your hearing tested regularly can help you detect hearing loss early, get care faster, and, improve your health, wellness, and quality of life.
Getting a hearing exam – who should do it?
Your health and well-being can be seriously affected by neglected hearing loss. For instance, hearing loss can result in intense social isolation. Discussions with family and friends can become more difficult, and individuals who suffer from hearing loss might be less likely to reach out to other people, even during normal activities like shopping or going to work. It may not be shocking that this type of social isolation can lead to mental health issues, but it might come as a surprise to discover that it can be harmful to your physical health too.
Hearing loss can trigger other issues as well. For instance, untreated hearing loss has been linked to many chronic conditions, including cognitive decline and depression. It’s also been linked to various comorbidities, including diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure.
This means that it’s generally a good idea for just about anyone to schedule a routine hearing test.
Four reasons to check your hearing
There are four significant reasons why keeping an eye on your hearing can be beneficial to your overall health.
1. Setting a baseline for your hearing is significant
Why would you want to get your hearing checked if it seems healthy? Well, getting a hearing test early is a good idea for several reasons. Your current level of hearing can be established by a hearing test and that’s probably the most significant thing. This will make it much easier to diagnose any changes in the future. Early symptoms of hearing loss frequently go unnoticed because hearing loss usually develops gradually over time.
Getting a baseline hearing test will help identify issues well before you observe them.
2. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential
Hearing loss is typically a gradual condition, meaning it often gets worse over time. Consequently, identifying hearing loss early often means a better prognosis. If you treat the condition as early as you can, you will have more positive results.
When you get treatment early it will mean doing things like using ear protection or possibly wearing hearing aids. Many of the associated problems like dementia, social isolation, and depression can be avoided with early treatment.
3. It’s easier to measure future changes
Your hearing loss will keep progressing even after you get diagnosed. Regular hearing tests can enable early detection and your treatment plan can be modified as needed.
4. Additional damage can be prevented
Most hearing loss is caused by damage, the type of damage that occurs slowly and over time. Your hearing specialist is a substantial resource and visiting us regularly will help you identify any hearing loss as early as possible. 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 identify ways to protect your ears from day-to-day damage or establish strategies designed to help you keep sounds around you quieter.
What should my hearing exam routine look like?
Generally speaking, it’s suggested that adults undergo a hearing exam sometime in their 20s or 30s, on the earlier side. It’s usually standard best practice to get a hearing test every ten years thereafter unless you observe signs of hearing loss or we suggest something more frequently.
But perhaps you’re thinking: what should I expect at my hearing exam? Generally, they’re totally non-invasive procedures. Typically, you simply listen for some tones in a special set of headphones.
Whether you need some hearing protection or a new pair of hearing aids, we will be able to help you with the best hearing care. And a hearing test can help you figure out when the best time to get your care might be.