From cooking meals to our jobs to social activities – our lives are busy and chaotic. Having your hearing tested probably doesn’t seem like something you can spare the time to do. And perhaps you think it can wait because you don’t think you’re afflicted by hearing loss.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait:
1. Additional Hearing Loss Can be Prevented
Many individuals don’t appreciate how severe their hearing loss is becoming because it advances so gradually. Over time, they begin compensating and changing their lifestyle without knowing it. All the while, they continue to do things to make their hearing loss worse.
But knowing is half the battle.
It can be an eye-opener to get your hearing checked. There is no way to reverse any hearing loss you might already have, but you can slow its progression.
It will be helpful to learn how to keep your moderate hearing loss from getting worse.
The advancement of hearing loss can be slowed by more effectively controlling chronic disease, lowering your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Your ears will be protected from further harm by using ear protection when subjected to loud noises and limiting your exposure.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Realize
If you are dealing with moderate hearing loss, you may have gradually forgotten how much you love listening to music. You may not remember what it’s like to have a discussion without asking friends or family members to repeat themselves.
You might have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite experiences.
You can learn just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing assessment. In most cases, we can help make improvements to your hearing.
3. You May Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
Maybe you already have hearing aids but you really don’t like to wear them. You may not feel like it helps your listening experience. Getting your hearing re-examined by a hearing specialist will help you find out if you have the right hearing aid for your type and degree of hearing loss and whether it’s effectively adjusted.
4. It’s Possible That You’re At Risk Already
Thirteen percent of individuals 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing loss in both ears. And debilitating hearing loss is endured by 8.5% of adults between 55 and 64. Hearing loss is commonly the result of environmental factors. It isn’t simply something that occurs when you get older. The majority of it is caused by exposure to loud sound.
Your at an increased risk if you are involved in any of these activities:
- Use a motorized lawnmower
- Ride a motorcycle or snowmobile
- Hunt or target shoot with firearms
- Go to plays, movies, and concerts
- Have a noisy job
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
All of these everyday activities can cause hearing loss. If you observe a decline in your hearing at any age, you should have your hearing checked by a hearing specialist as soon as you can.
5. Your General Health Will Improve
If you neglect your hearing loss you will have a substantially higher chance of the following:
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
- Falls that cause injuries
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Anxiety
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Depression
Having your hearing tested is about more than only your hearing.
6. Rebuild Tense Relationships
Friends and family members can lose their patience when addressing someone who has neglected hearing loss. It’s more common for misunderstandings to happen. Everyone will get aggravated with the situation, including you. Regret and bitterness can be the outcome. Family members and friends may even exclude you from gatherings rather than needing to continuously repeat themselves.
But here’s the good news, having your hearing tested will help mend troubled relationships and stop misunderstandings from occurring again.