To understand the benefits of hearing protection, it is important to understand the important you have mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears. You love spending time with your family and friends, but you often find it hard to fully participate in conversations due to your hearing loss.
At gatherings, you have to sit close to the speaker in order to hear what they are saying, and even then you often miss out on parts of the conversation. You also struggle to hear over the background noise of the party, such as music, laughter, and the sound of other people talking. This can make you feel left out and isolated, even when you are surrounded by loved ones.
Hearing tests help you keep on top of your hearing health
One way to address this issue is to get an annual hearing test in the new year. This can help identify any changes in hearing and ensure that you are using the appropriate hearing aids or other assistive devices.
Just as we monitor other aspects of our health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, staying on top of our hearing health is an important and achievable goal. Regular hearing tests can help identify any changes in hearing, allowing for early treatment and preventing more serious issues down the road.
Early treatment of hearing loss is important because it can prevent a range of negative consequences. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to depression, falls, and cognitive decline. By staying on top of our hearing health, we can ensure that we maintain our quality of life and independence as we age.
Undertreated and underdiagnosed
Hearing loss is a common problem in the United States, but it is often undertreated and underdiagnosed. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 15% of American adults aged 18 and over (37.5 million people) report some trouble hearing. However, only one in five people who could benefit from using hearing aids actually uses them.
Furthermore, the NIDCD reports that hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition in the United States, after arthritis and heart disease. Yet, only a small fraction of individuals with hearing loss receive appropriate treatment. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that only 20% of individuals with hearing loss received treatment, even though the majority of them reported that their hearing loss had a negative impact on their quality of life.
Why do we often ignore our hearing loss?Fear of the unknown: You might be worried that the test will show that you have hearing loss, and you’re not ready to face that possibility. But just like going to the doctor for a check-up can help you catch potential health issues early, getting your hearing tested can help you identify any potential hearing issues and address them sooner rather than later.
Worried about the test itself: You might be worried that it will be uncomfortable or painful. But just like going to the dentist for a cleaning isn’t as bad as you might think, getting your hearing tested is a quick and painless process. It’s just a matter of sitting in a quiet room and listening to a series of tones through a set of headphones.
Worried about what others think: You might be worried that people will judge you or think that you’re getting old. But just like wearing glasses doesn’t make you any less cool, having your hearing tested doesn’t make you any less capable. It just means that you’re taking care of your health and well-being. Plus, nobody has to know that you got your hearing tested unless you want to tell them.
Get started with us this spring!
So, now that we’ve dispelled some of the myths and fears surrounding hearing tests, it’s time to take the plunge and get your hearing checked. And what better time to do it than the start of the new year? The new year is a great time to make positive changes in your life, and taking care of your hearing is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. So don’t put it off any longer – make an appointment to get your hearing tested and start the new year off on the right foot. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”!