Regular health checks should already be a part of your routine. Even if you appear to be in good health, a hearing health professional may discover something you’ve overlooked. This is as true for your ears as it is for any other part of your body.
Once you reach adulthood, you should begin baseline hearing testing every few years or so. Beginning at the age of 55, you should increase the frequency of your hearing exams and consult with a hearing health professional at least once a year. This allows you to follow your hearing over a longer period of time and detect potential hearing loss indications before permanent damage occurs.
Hearing Loss Doesn’t Just Affect the Elderly
In the United States, hearing loss is one of the most frequent chronic illnesses. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, over 48-million Americans experience hearing loss, but only one in every five persons who could benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one.
Hearing loss affects almost one in three persons in the United States between the ages of 65-74, and more than half of people aged 75 and older, according to research from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
With such figures, you may think that hearing loss is a problem that only the elderly should be concerned about. Noise-related hearing loss is becoming more widespread among the younger generation as a result of the improper use of personal audio devices and exposure to harmful levels of sound at noisy entertainment venues and events. According to the World Health Organization, there are around one billion persons aged 12-35 who are at risk worldwide.
The Consequences of Hearing Loss Left Untreated
Hearing loss frequently stays undetected until it becomes significant if you don’t get a hearing test every year. Unfortunately, many people wait until they have major communication issues before getting evaluated. They could take up to ten years after the first signs of hearing loss appear.
This is extremely harmful, as it can result in, among other things:
- Dementia
- Depression
- Your social life has taken a turn for the worse.
- At work, having trouble understanding topics.
- The inability to hear some of life’s simpler, more enjoyable noises, such as the crunch of fresh snow, the laughter of your grandchildren or the early melodies of birds.
- Missing the early warning symptoms of serious illnesses like diabetes or heart disease.
Hearing loss, in summary, can have a negative impact on your social, emotional and even physical health. The good news is that this isn’t a foregone conclusion. Taking action immediately and getting your hearing tested can help lessen the chances of it going that severe.
It is easier to take action if you assess your hearing early on. Hearing tests are completely free, painless and only take a few minutes. Even if you aren’t experiencing the symptoms of hearing loss right now, it’s best to remain proactive.
Consider A Hearing Test as A Screening Rather Than an Examination
Many people believe that hearing tests are only for persons who have a problem, similar to how vision exams are just for people who have vision problems. However, a hearing test can reveal more than simply hearing loss; it can also reveal a variety of physical and medical conditions that you may not be aware of.
A yearly hearing test, similar to a vision test, allows you to track changes in your hearing and make modifications as needed. Every audiogram you take can be compared to the previous one, allowing your hearing health professional to evaluate how quickly your hearing is changing and alerting her to potential concerns such as earwax buildup and noise-induced hearing loss.
When hearing difficulties are left untreated, much more than simply the capacity to hear is lost. Due to the restrictions of their circumstances, patients may become unhappy, anxious in public situations and increasingly isolated. Hearing loss has also been related to an increased risk of injury in the elderly, as they are less likely to hear traffic horns, smoke alarms and other dangerous sounds.
The discovery of minor hearing impairment can be beneficial since it helps you to prevent hearing loss from worsening. Hearing loss can be treated right away in our offices since we have several various types and models of hearing aids to treat a variety of hearing issues.
Your hearing health professional will also walk you through each of your options, advising you on which device will best suit your condition and lifestyle. Find out more about Hear Again America and call us at (877) 905-9493.