The NCOA has found that hearing loss affects over 60 million Americans aged 12 and over. However, despite the prevalence of hearing loss, a study by The Hearing Review found that while 44% of those surveyed thought about their hearing occasionally, 79% of those hadn’t had a hearing test in the previous 12 months.
It’s a common oversight. Unlike other parts of the body, hearing checks can often be overlooked unless a person experiences an issue with their ears or is struggling with hearing loss. Does this seem familiar to you? When was the last time you got your hearing checked, or have you ever had a hearing check?
If you’ve been neglecting your ears and hearing, this post will equip you with the knowledge of the benefits of regular hearing tests, empowering you to take control of your hearing health.
Identify Hearing Loss
The first and most obvious one is that hearing tests can identify if you have any hearing loss and at what level or type. It could be a build-up of earwax or an infection causing temporary hearing loss, or you might have more permanent hearing loss. A hearing check can indicate what, if any, you might have and help you move forward with treatment or hearing aid options.
Identify Health Conditions
Diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus are just a few health conditions that can cause hearing issues. Identifying these conditions early can provide reassurance and help you manage your ear health effectively.
In addition, you might be experiencing symptoms like tinnitus, which is often caused by other health conditions and isn’t a condition itself. This indicates that you need to get a further checkup after the hearing check.
Identify Cognitive Changes
Hearing loss and cognitive changes often go hand in hand, and getting a hearing loss can help you understand if you are at risk of experiencing further cognitive changes. The reason is that unmanaged hearing loss can lead to reduced cognitive abilities and increased risk of dementia. So, while you should expect changes to your hearing as you age, regular hearing checks and hearing care can help you maintain your cognitive health. If this is something you are concerned about, this article can help you prepare the right way for your hearing test to get all the information you need.
Preventative Care
As discussed above, hearing can decline as you get older. It can also change with certain health conditions and environments, such as working in loud workplaces like airports or concert halls or around loud machinery such as construction. Regular hearing checks are a proactive step in preserving your hearing and maintaining optimal hearing health. By taking this responsibility, you can ensure you have the best ear health and maximum hearing for as long as possible.
Booking in for regular hearing tests isn’t always a top priority for anyone. However, doing so can not only give you a glimpse into the health of your ears and your hearing but also help you identify any other issues that might be at play so you can get the right treatment.
