Just like our eyes, our hearing is constantly changing. Unfortunately, a lot of people would prefer getting their eyes and teeth checked over their hearing.
A hearing check is equally important and therefore should be checked regularly.
Hearing loss is not commonly screened by general practitioners; therefore, you may be unaware of when (and why) you should be getting your hearing tested.
This article seeks to discuss the right time and benefits of getting your hearing checked.
There are so many reasons to have a regular ear check up, but the most important reason of them all is: having your own peace of mind.
Later on, we will look at some more reasons why you should be having regular hearing checks.
If you fit any of the criteria below, it is probably time for you to arrange for a hearing test.
You are 55 years of age or older
The moment you hit the 55 year old mark, we recommend that you have hearing tested annually. Most people will experience some degree of hearing loss as soon as they get to 55 years old.
In most cases, you may not notice a sudden drop in your ability to hear sounds clearly; hearing loss is a condition that comes gradually until it becomes obvious.
A decline in your hearing is a natural part of aging; however, if hearing loss is detected early enough you and your audiologist will be much better equipped to address and manage the loss in the future.
You’ve had constant exposure to loud noise at work or during recreation
When you expose yourself to prolonged loud noise, it leads to a hearing loss.
If you worked in environments with high levels of noise or you’re still working in such environments, you need to check your hearing annually.
Such environments may include: construction sites, the music industry, large enclosed sports stadiums, etc.
You exhibit any signs or symptoms of a hearing loss
The slightest sign of a hearing loss shouldn’t be taken for granted.
If you noticed anything, whether personally or it was pointed out by a family member or friend, you should go for a test immediately.
Some signs you may notice during a hearing loss are:
- Difficulty hearing people over the phone
- Difficulty following group conversations
- Often having people to speak up or repeat themselves.
Any of the above sign can signal a hearing loss.
When you start to experience pain or discomfort in one or both ears
When you suffer from illnesses like: ear infections, tonsillitis, cold or a sinus infection, you may experience a temporary pain and hearing loss.
However, this loss should subside within a couple of days.
But, if the pain and hearing loss doesn’t seem to clear up within a couple of days, you should definitely see an audiologist for a hearing test.
It doesn’t matter if you are already wearing hearing aids, it is still crucial to have your hearing tested on a yearly basis.
Hearing continues to change as time passes by; therefore, it is extremely crucial to make sure that your hearing aids are still serving its purpose.
Now, let’s look at those benefits of taking a hearing test annually.
As earlier said, apart from the fact that you will be having your peace of mind, some other benefits include:
- An improved confidence and more desire to socialise
- The ability to understand what is said during a conversation, even in large social groups
- You will be less tired and experience fewer headaches; this is because, you won’t have to strain your ears to hear conversations.
In short, there are many reasons to have a regular ear check up. Have you had your ear check up recently?
It’s highly recommended to visit your audiologist on a regular basis to avoid any potential hearing deterioration or hearing loss.
Please feel free to make an appointment with us at Contact Us