Why Routine Hearing Tests are Important for Everyone

Close to 50 million Americans have hearing loss that impacts their everyday functions. To assume that we would never be one of them is quite a leap to make. Everyone has the potential to experience hearing loss, which is why it’s important to have our hearing tested. However, even if you’ve been tested before and were told you have no hearing loss, that doesn’t mean you won’t develop it down the road. Routine tests are your best bet to ensure the best for your hearing health.

Set a Standard to Work From

For those who have never visited an audiologist for a hearing test, that should be the first place to start, even if you’re not experiencing any of the symptoms of hearing loss. The first hearing test is often used as a baseline, giving you an idea of your normal range of hearing. With the help of that baseline, your audiologist can quickly compare any future hearing tests to note any changes in your hearing, which can make diagnosing hearing loss a lot easier if it is there in mind form.

Your Hearing Will Change Over Time

Don’t expect your hearing range to be the same throughout your life. Age-related hearing loss is the most common form, which typically happens because the hair cells in the inner ear, responsible for picking up sound, start to degrade. Most people may not be aware that they are experiencing the gradual decline of their hearing until it’s pointed out to them one way or another. Routine hearing tests can ensure that you don’t miss any changes to your hearing. By catching it and diagnosing hearing loss early, there’s a much better chance to treat it and prevent further change.

You Might Be Exposing Your Ears to Dangerous Levels of Noise

Out of all of the risk factors that can lead to hearing loss, excessive levels of noise are one of the most common. Any noise that is measured at 75dBs or higher can damage your hearing, and the louder the noise, the less time it takes to be a permanent risk to your hearing. Anyone who works in a place that exposes them to such levels of noise, or has a hobby that does the same, should ensure a routine hearing test to make sure that their hearing health isn’t changing as a result.

It Can Help You with Prevention

If you’re visiting your audiologist, then you can benefit from a lot more than a simple check and diagnosis of your ears. For instance, if the aforementioned exposure to loud noise is a prevalent risk factor in your life, then they can help you prevent damage to your hearing with the help of hearing protection. You can go over the various options, like earplugs and earmuffs, and an audiologist can even help create a mold for custom earplugs, which tends to be one of the most effective forms of hearing protection on the market.

It’s a Good Opportunity to Check in with Your Audiologist

While you might be there for the routine hearing test, first and foremost, taking the time to check in with your audiologist can be good for your hearing and balance health in general. The questions that your audiologist asks before the test, as well as the physical examination, can offer a quick check on your hearing health in general. What’s more, you can take the opportunity to address any other issues you might be having, such as tinnitus or balance issues.

Your Hearing Health is Important to Your Overall Wellness

Your hearing affects more than your ears alone. Undiagnosed hearing loss can have impacts, both small and profound, on other elements of your health, such as heart conditions, diabetes, cognitive issues, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. What’s more, there are several health issues that can symptoms that show up in your hearing and ear health. As such, your audiologist can not only diagnose any hearing loss that you might be experiencing, but they can take note of other symptoms that might be worth taking a closer look at when you might otherwise miss them.

There are plenty of reasons to schedule routine hearing tests, but only one way to make it happen. Make an appointment for your next hearing test, or learn more about how your audiologist can help you by getting in touch with Rametta Audiology & Hearing Aid Center. Call our Tarentum office at (724) 409-4439 or reach out to the Vandergrift office at (724) 567-3233.