Hearing loss comes on gradually—so gradually, in fact, that you might not even notice. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of four American adults who believe they have excellent or good hearing actually already have hearing damage. This is why it’s important to consider getting your hearing tested even if you don’t believe you have hearing loss.
The Dangers of Untreated Hearing Loss
Our ability to hear is a critical way in which we interact with the world, both socially and environmentally. Losing the ability to hear, even incrementally, has been tied to:
- Increased fall risk
- Decreased situational awareness, which leads to decreased personal safety
- Increased risk of dementia
- Social isolation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Balance issues
- Cardiovascular disease
- Speech and language delays
- Fatigue
- Decreased independence
Even if you don’t think you have any symptoms of hearing loss, it is critical to stay ahead of hearing loss to maintain your quality of life.
Subtle Signs of Hearing Loss You May Have Missed
There may be subtle clues in your daily life that indicate declining hearing health. Don’t discount those clues or ignore them. Pay attention to:
- Pretending to follow along with a conversation to avoid asking someone to repeat themselves
- Feeling like everyone is mumbling
- Feeling overly sensitive to background noise
- Extreme tiredness after listening to a conversation, lecture or piece of media (such as a movie or audiobook)
- Turning the volume up on the television
Getting Your Hearing Checked Now
Detecting hearing loss as soon as possible enables prompt intervention and effective management. Furthermore, making a treatment plan for hearing loss will protect your residual hearing and prevent further deterioration. The parts of the brain involved in understanding speech and sound can remain engaged and active, rather than potentially becoming rusty with disuse.
Prioritize hearing tests as part of your overall wellness. We recommend getting a hearing test at or before age 50 to establish your hearing baseline, then testing again every five years to monitor any changes. You can even use our online hearing screener just to set expectations; however, online tests like these are not diagnostic. These are useful for monitoring changes; if you notice a change, it’s time for a comprehensive audiology screening. Contact us today to make an appointment and stay on top of your hearing health.