When scheduling healthcare appointments, people often prioritize eye exams, dental appointments and physicals, but hearing health can be overlooked.
However, maintaining good hearing is just as important for overall well-being.
The Importance of Hearing Screenings
Hearing loss can develop gradually, making it easy for the early warning signs to go unnoticed. Routine hearing tests can catch issues before they progress, providing significant benefits such as:
- Early detection: Identifying hearing loss early can help prevent further decline.
- Better communication: Strong hearing health supports clearer conversations, whether you’re enjoying a meal at Gerst Haus or catching up with family at Mesker Park Zoo.
- 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.
- Safety awareness: Being able to hear clearly is vital for recognizing important sounds in your daily environment that could put you in danger if unnoticed, such as honking cars or emergency alarms and sirens.
Who Should Get a Hearing Test?
Hearing loss can affect anyone of all ages. Consider scheduling a hearing exam if you:
- Frequently ask others to repeat themselves
- Struggle to follow conversations in noisy places
- Experience ringing or buzzing in your ears
- Have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
- Have been exposed to loud noises for long periods (i.e., you work in construction)
- Take medications that can affect hearing
The following frequency for hearing checks is recommended:
- Adults under 50 with no symptoms: every 3–5 years
- Adults over 50: every 1–2 years
- Babies: screened by one month old
- Children: tested immediately if hearing loss is suspected
Hearing health plays a vital role in daily life and allows people to enjoy small conversations with friends to louder, more impactful sounds. Making regular hearing checks part of your healthcare routine can help catch potential issues early.
If you want to learn more or schedule a hearing test, reach out to Hearing Healthcare Center, Inc. today.