Many people have routines around regular vision checks, physicals and teeth cleanings, but hearing health may sometimes be overlooked. Regular hearing checks can help maintain overall well-being and should be considered when maintaining healthcare routines.
Untreated hearing loss can impact communication, mental health and overall quality of life.
Prioritize their vision, heart health, and dental care, but hearing health often gets overlooked.
Here’s why you should make hearing tests a part of your routine healthcare.
The Importance of Hearing Checks
Hearing loss can develop gradually, making it easy to miss early warning signs. Routine hearing tests help detect issues before they become worse. Some key benefits of regular hearing assessments include:
- Early detection of hearing loss, allowing for the potential for early intervention
- Improved communication: Better hearing health helps support communication skills, making it easier to stay connected to loved ones and colleagues.
- Cognitive health: A 2013 study of 1,984 older adults enrolled in the Health ABC (Health, Aging and Body Composition) Study found that individuals with hearing loss had an increased risk of cognitive decline compared to those with normal hearing.
- Improved safety: Hearing well is essential for detecting alarms, approaching vehicles and other important sounds in daily life.
Who Should Get Their Hearing Checked?
While hearing tests are often associated with older adults, people of all ages can benefit from regular screenings.
You should consider scheduling a hearing exam if you:
- Frequently ask others to repeat themselves
- Struggle to hear conversations in noisy environments like brunch at Lost and Found
- Experience ringing or buzzing in your ears
- Have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
- Have a history of prolonged exposure to loud noises
- Take medications known to affect hearing
Adults under 50 with no symptoms should get a hearing test every three to five years and every one to two years for adults over 50. Babies should be screened no less than one month old, and children should be tested as soon as possible if hearing loss is suspected.
Your hearing plays a vital role in your daily life, and regular hearing checks can ensure you catch any potential issues early. Consider regular hearing checks when planning your healthcare routine each year. To learn more or schedule a test now, contact Hearing Systems today.