5 Reasons to Take an Annual Hearing Test

5 Reasons to Take an Annual Hearing Test

While most of us remember to schedule annual health appointments with our primary care doctor and dentist, we often fail to include hearing health in these check-ups. This significantly contributes to how widely underdiagnosed hearing loss is even though it is the third most common chronic health condition people experience today. Hearing loss impacts over 48 million people and it is estimated that only one-third of people affected by the condition receive treatment for it. Having your hearing assessed annually is one of the most effective preventive measures you can take to protect your hearing health. 

 

There are numerous reasons and benefits of taking an annual hearing test. Hearing health is just as integral to overall health and wellness. A few key reasons to take a hearing test regularly are: 

 

  • Establish your hearing health profile. Hearing tests are an incredibly useful diagnostic tool. They measure your hearing capacity in each ear which provides so much useful information about your hearing abilities. This establishes your hearing health profile – your hearing capacities, the sounds you may struggle with, any impairment that is present and specific type of hearing loss you could be experiencing, etc. This provides a picture of your hearing health and informs any further evaluations or treatment that may be needed. 
  • Measure any changes to your hearing health. Continuing to have your hearing tested yearly, allows your hearing healthcare provider to easily track any changes. Once your baseline is established, if there is any divergence this becomes easy to see because you have past information to compare new results to. Hearing loss typically happens gradually so you may not notice incremental changes to your hearing. But a test will catch any changes and identify these early signs of hearing loss which allows for early intervention.   
  • Diagnose any issues early. Annual hearing tests are a key way to diagnose hearing loss early. Because hearing loss typically occurs gradually, people can overlook or not be aware that they are experiencing a gradual reduction in their hearing abilities. But capturing your hearing health yearly allows a specialist to track any changes and diagnose conditions early. Early intervention can profoundly help your auditory system and hearing health. 
  • Prevent further damage to your auditory system. Treating hearing loss early prevents further damage to your hearing. Hearing loss exists on a spectrum, from mild to severe. Hearing loss that remains untreated can easily worsen, moving from mild to profound over time. But catching and treating hearing loss early can prevent this and maximize hearing capacity. 
  • Treat any conditions you may be experiencing. Treating hearing loss offers countless life-changing benefits. The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids – medical devices that are designed to absorb, amplify, and process sound. This alleviates hearing loss symptoms and increases hearing capacity. This strengthens communication and allows people to navigate conversations, social settings, and interactions with greater ease as well as comfort. People are better able to participate fully and be more present. This enriches quality time, social engagement, as well as boosts confidence and happiness. 

 

Taking annual hearing tests and prioritizing your hearing health contributes to your quality of life. 

 

What to Expect from a Hearing Test 

Hearing tests involve a painless and non-invasive process that is conducted by an audiologist. Knowing what you can expect can help alleviate any anxiety you may feel about having your hearing tested as well prepare you for your appointment. A hearing test includes the following parts: 

  • Intake: similar to most medical appointments, you will discuss your hearing health history as well as any symptoms or concerns you have. 
  • Ear exam: your hearing healthcare provider will examine your ear, checking for any earwax accumulation or anything else that could be contributing to hearing issues. 
  • Hearing test: you will wear headphones connected to an audiometer that plays sounds at different frequencies. As you indicate what you can hear, this information will be collected in real-time. 
  • Results: your results will be thoroughly discussed with you as well as the next steps if hearing loss is identified. 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation. Incorporating yearly hearing health check-ins is a great way to prioritize your health.