From preparing meals to our jobs to social events – our lives are busy and hectic. Having your hearing Evaluated probably doesn’t seem like something you can spare 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 Stop Further Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss usually progresses gradually, many individuals don’t grasp how bad it’s become. As time passes, they begin compensating and changing their lifestyle without knowing it. And because they don’t recognize they have hearing loss, they keep engaging in activities that worsen their hearing loss.
But knowing is half the battle.
It can be an eye-opener to get your hearing examined. You can slow the progression of hearing loss but there isn’t any way to undo the damage already done.
It will be helpful to know how to keep your moderate hearing loss from getting worse.
The progression of hearing loss can be slowed by more effectively managing chronic disease, decreasing your blood pressure, and exercising more.
Reducing your exposure to loud sounds and wearing earplugs during loud activities will further protect your inner ears from additional damage.
2. You Don’t Even Realize How Much You’re Missing
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you may have gradually forgotten how much you enjoy listening to music. Not needing to ask friends and family to repeat what they said when they speak to you is something you may not even recall.
You may have slowly distanced yourself from friends or your favorite experiences.
Getting a hearing exam lets you evaluate your degree of hearing loss. In most situations, we can help improve your hearing.
3. You May Enhance Your Hearing Aid Experience
If you already use a hearing aid, you may not want to use it. You might not feel like it helps your listening experience. Going to a hearing specialist and having your hearing re-tested will ensure you have the hearing aids that work best for you and that they’re set up for your personal listening needs.
4. It’s Possible That You’re Already at Risk
And debilitating hearing loss is experienced by 8.5% of adults between 55 and 64. Hearing loss is typically caused by environmental factors. It isn’t simply something that develops when you get older. Exposure to loud sound causes the majority of it.
If you engage in the following activities, you’re at a greater risk:
- Ride a snowmobile or motorcycle
- Attend concerts, plays, or movies
- Listen to loud music or wear earbuds
- Mow the lawn
- Shoot firearms
- Have a noisy job
All of these day-to-day activities can result in hearing loss. If you notice a decline in your hearing at any age, you should have your hearing checked by a hearing specialist as soon as you can.
5. It Will Benefit Your Total Health
Individuals with neglected hearing loss have a substantially higher chance of:
- Depression
- Slow healing or frequent hospital visits
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Longer treatments in hospitals and rehab
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Anxiety
- Falls that result in injuries
A hearing test is not just about your hearing.
6. Tense Relationships Can be Restored
Friends and family members can lose their patience when addressing someone who has ignored their hearing loss. Misunderstandings are more likely. The situation is irritating for everyone. Resentment and regret may follow. Family members and friends might even exclude you from gatherings versus needing to continuously repeat what they said.
But here’s the good news, having your hearing checked will help repair troubled relationships and stop misunderstandings from happening again.