Warning Signs You Should Get A Hearing Test

Hearing loss is affecting more people each year, with over two billion global cases. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, there are some common signs you should get a hearing test. So, take the opportunity to book one as soon as possible if you experience any of these.

You Experience Hearing Loss from Work

If you work in a noisy place or have a hobby like going to concerts or shooting that exposes you to a significant amount of noise, you should schedule a hearing test to see if noise exposure has hurt your hearing. Your audiologist can tell you how much damage has been done and if the hearing loss is likely to be permanent. If so, you might want to think about getting hearing aids. Hearing aids are now very small and comfortable, and you can even buy them over the counter.

Your Hearing is Affected by Age

If you haven’t noticed your hearing getting worse, a test every three years should be enough. However, about 25% of people aged 65-74 have trouble hearing, making everyday life and work more challenging. Fortunately, something as simple as a hearing test and a hearing aid can help. Hearing aids will significantly reduce the negative impact of hearing loss and aging, such as falling. Contact your audiologist and make an appointment if you experience these.

You Have Noticed Memory Loss

Memory loss, dementia and hearing loss are all linked. Recent data suggests that people who have trouble hearing also spend less time with others. This can reduce brain stimulation and promote memory loss. And this can be impacted more if you don’t use a prescribed hearing aid. Hearing aids are shown to stimulate the brain more and actively prevent memory loss. One study found that this helped reduce hearing loss-related memory loss by up to a third.

You Have Hearing Loss Comorbidities

In many cases of hearing loss, there are other medical issues called comorbidities that can make it worse, increase the chances, or are a symptom. Here are some of the most common:

• Depression: A sign of the effects of not hearing correctly, such as social isolation.
• Cardiovascular disease: Poor circulation can severely and negatively affect your hearing.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your ears.
• Balance issues: A common sign of hearing loss, even in mild cases.
• Dementia: There is an established link between dementia and hearing loss.

On their own, some of these illnesses are cause for concern. However, they also present or are made worse by even mild cases of hearing loss. A prescription hearing aid can always help.

Some Sounds are Changing

Hearing loss can make everyday conversations sound strange. For example, some words or letters may sound normal when spoken. And while you might be able to hear tiny sounds, you might not hear the sounds of words that begin with f and s or include the th sound. It may also be the case that people are mumbling when speaking to you or like they are in another room or walking away from you. So, see an audiologist for a hearing test.

Conversational Issues

One of the first signs that you may require a hearing test is if you have trouble understanding people when they talk to you or if you feel like you have to ask people to repeat themselves all the time. You could also lose track of what people are saying because you can’t hear them if they keep moving or turn their heads while they talk. You might not notice this at first, but a close family member, partner or friend might start to notice that you aren’t hearing them.

You Haven’t Had a Test for a While

Depending on your personal situation, hearing tests should be every few months or every few years. Yet early intervention of hearing problems and careful monitoring is very helpful for taking care of your hearing in the long run. Hearing tests should be a regular part of your checkups and should be done at least once every three years. If you haven’t had your hearing checked yet, call an audiologist near you today to set up a baseline hearing test.

Hearing loss is a common medical experience all over the world. However, you may not even realize it is happening. Fortunately, help is widely available from an audiologist service near you.

The Hearing Clinic at Woodlake can help you with hearing loss. To learn more about The Hearing Clinic at Woodlake, please call us today at (612) 246-4868.