From cooking meals to our jobs to social events – our lives are busy and chaotic. It probably seems like there’s never enough time to get your hearing examined. And maybe you believe it can wait because you don’t recognize you’re experiencing hearing loss.
Here’s why you shouldn’t put it off:
1. You Can Stop Further Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss usually advances gradually, many people don’t realize how bad it has become. Over time, they begin compensating and making lifestyle changes without recognizing it. And because they don’t know they have hearing loss, they keep engaging in activities that worsen their hearing loss.
But knowing is half the battle.
Getting your hearing checked can be eye-opening. You can slow the progression of hearing loss but there is no way to reverse the damage already done.
It will be helpful to know how to keep your moderate hearing loss from getting worse.
Exercising, decreasing your blood pressure, and managing chronic diseases more effectively can slow hearing loss progression.
Reducing your exposure to loud noises and wearing earplugs during noisy activities will further safeguard your inner ears from additional damage.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Realize
If you are experiencing moderate hearing loss, you might have slowly 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.
Having a hearing examination lets you assess your degree of hearing loss. In the majority of situations, we can help you hear better.
3. You Might Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
Perhaps you already have hearing aids but you really don’t like to use them. You might not think they help very much. Visiting a hearing specialist and having your hearing re-evaluated will guarantee you have the hearing aids that work best for you and that they are adjusted for your personal listening needs.
4. You May be at Risk Already
Measurable hearing loss can be detected in both ears in 13% of U.S. citizens (30 million people) 12 and older. And debilitating hearing loss is endured by 8.5% of adults 55 to64. Environmental factors are usually to blame. It’s not simply about aging. Exposure to loud sound causes the majority of it.
If you are involved in the following activities, you’re at an increased risk:
- Go to plays, movies, and concerts
- Ride loud vehicles including a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Hunt or target shoot with firearms
- Have a noisy job
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Use a motorized lawnmower
All of these day-to-day activities can trigger hearing loss. If you see a decline in your hearing whatever age, you should get your hearing tested by a hearing specialist as soon as possible.
5. Your General Health Will Improve
Individuals with neglected hearing loss have a substantially higher risk of:
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Falls that result in injuries
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
- Slow healing or frequent hospital visits
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
- Depression
- Anxiety
Getting your hearing checked is about more than only your hearing.
6. Tense Relationships Can be Restored
Friends and family members can lose their patience when dealing with someone who has neglected hearing loss. It’s more common for misunderstandings to occur. Individuals will become frustrated with the situation, including you. Resentment and regret could follow. Family members and friends may even exclude you from get-togethers versus having to continuously repeat what they said.
But misunderstandings and troubled relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing exam and that’s the good news.
