Why do people wait too long to have their hearing tested? Why is it that less than 25 percent of people who need hearing aids actually get them? Getting your hearing checked and your hearing loss treated is very important. Unfortunately, the average time someone with hearing loss problems waits to seek treatment is 7 years, which is a large period of cognitive decline that can be easily preventable. So it is no surprise that hearing loss has become one of the most common conditions affecting older adults.
Your age, family medical history and current health status may lead you to believe you don’t have any hearing loss problems, but that it not necessarily true. Hearing loss symptoms can affect people of all ages and can sometimes be so subtle that you may not notice them. Having your hearing tested by a certified hearing care professional such as an audiologist is the only way to know for certain whether or not you have hearing loss.
Having healthy hearing and making sure you get appropriate treatment for any hearing loss problems are essential to maintaining strong cognitive function. Even in the early stages of hearing loss, the brain begins to reorganize. That’s why it is very important to get ahead of the decline in one’s hearing by having your hearing checked regularly in order to prevent long term cognitive issues down the road.
Did You Know: Recent studies show that when hearing loss goes uncorrected it continues to degrade at an increasing pace (the brain actually begins to forget how to interpret speech sounds). This can also contribute to and accelerate dementia.
Primary Physicians Don’t “Usually” Test for Hearing Loss
Most of us have a hearing test conducted early in life during childhood. And for most people, it’s common to get a general medical checkup annually in order to know the state of their health and prevent any diseases from arising early. However, hearing loss is often missed because regular check-ups at the doctor’s office do not typically include a hearing exam. You can appear to be in top-notch condition according to your regular primary physician, but only a small percentage of routine physical check-ups tend to include a hearing exam.
When Should You Get Your Hearing Checked?
According to recent studies, hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the U.S., and contrary to popular belief, hearing loss is very treatable. However, treatment for hearing loss is more effective when started early. This is why most audiologists recommend getting your hearing examined regularly just like you do with your eyes and teeth. NOTE: A hearing test is painless and usually takes approximately an hour.
While there are numerous reasons you should get your hearing tested frequently, here are the top symptoms you should be looking out for:
- Inability to hear conversations in public places such as restaurants
- Frequently increasing the volume of the television or radio
- Often asking people to repeat themselves when having conversations
- Difficulty hearing on the telephone
If you suspect you have hearing loss, why not find out for sure? Contact us at Hearing Solutions, Inc and schedule an appointment for a hearing exam at one of our offices near you. We have a friendly staff of certified hearing care professionals waiting to help you!