If you haven’t had your hearing checked since your grade school days, you’re not alone. Regrettably, we have a habit of treating hearing loss reactively rather than proactively, and a regular adult physical usually doesn’t include a hearing test. The majority of people neglect hearing loss, even when they are aware of it, for up to seven years which can severely impact your health. As a matter of fact, untreated hearing loss has been shown to increase your healthcare costs over time.
The good news, So that our hearing experts to assist you, we recommend a hearing test which is simple, painless and supplies a wealth of important information. Both to learn if interventions such as hearing aids are helping you and also for diagnosing potential hearing issues. A full audiometry test is more involved than what you may remember from childhood and you won’t get a lollipop or a sticker when it’s finished but you’ll get a much clearer understanding of your hearing.
It’s essential that you routinely have your hearing checked even though you might not normally give your hearing as much consideration as your teeth or eyes. It can be a long time before you notice that there is something wrong with your hearing. Loss of hearing usually occurs slowly, and the earlier you recognize an issue with your hearing, the sooner you might be able to deal with it.
How do You Know When to Get Examined?
Normally the hospital will screen infants for hearing loss before they send them home. Teenagers should be tested during routine exams with their physicians and children should get formal hearing exams at the ages of 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 years old according to The American Academy of Pediatrics.
If you are in between the ages of 18 to 45, it is recommended that you get your hearing tested every five years and then more often as you get older. After you turn 60 you should get checked every two years and if you are between 46 and 60 every three. But you may need to get checked more often. The regularity with which you need to get tested will really depend on your individual situation. If you notice your hearing isn’t what it used to be, you should have it tested immediately. Untreated loss of hearing has been linked to mental decline, depression and a greater risk of falls and other health issues. Your capacity to work effectively and your relationships can also be impacted.
There are also situations in which you should get a hearing exam as soon as possible to address hearing loss that could get worse. The following scenarios mean that you should get a hearing test immediately:
- Your ear was infected, or there was a buildup of earwax
- You are experiencing vertigo
- Conversations are difficult to hear when you are in a crowded area especially
- It is difficult to pinpoint where sounds are coming from
- You find yourself having to constantly ask people to repeat themselves
- You are experiencing a constant ringing in your ears
Whether you are at risk of hearing loss is another consideration. For example, if loss of hearing runs in your family or you are exposed to loud noises on a regular basis you should have your hearing examined more frequently.
There are also more than 200 ototoxic medicines. From Aspirin to some antibiotics, these drugs can be very bad for your hearing. In order to make certain none of your medications are affecting your ears, consult your doctor. Consider having your hearing tested more often in order to address any hearing loss right away if you are taking any ototoxic medications.
Also, consider your habits and whether they may contribute to hearing loss. Regularly using your earbuds? Hearing loss has significantly increased in younger people, and many experts think that this is due to the use of headphones and earbuds. Your ears can also be significantly harmed by loud concerts, shows, and machinery. If you think that it’s time for you to get your hearing examined, schedule an appointment today.