Don’t Wait Ten Years to get your Hearing Checked

If you couldn’t see the TV or read the paper, how long would you wait before getting your eyesight checked? When your sight is affected, chances are that you’d seek assistance pretty quickly. Whereas an eye test carries no stigma, in some people’s minds the same is not true of a hearing test.

Statistics show that the average person waits ten years from the first suspicion that their hearing isn’t right until scheduling a hearing test. This is ten years when you could have been enjoying life more completely without struggling through some likely difficult situations

Some people have hang ups about seeking a hearing test, because they associate hearing loss and hearing aid with the elderly. In their mind, to admit to a degree of hearing loss may prematurely age them. This could not be further from the truth.

Struggling with hearing loss puts a strain on relationships. If you’re constantly asking people to repeat what they just said, it is wearing for both of you. Also, if you don’t admit to hearing difficulties, there’s a good chance you will miss comments directed at you, and when you don’t react, this can come across as aloof or disinterested.

Even mild hearing loss can have an impact on the material side of your life. Studies show that mild to moderate hearing loss can lead to a decrease in earning potential. The good news is that this is eliminated when the problem is recognized and corrected with a properly-fitted hearing device.

In addition, hearing loss can lead to social isolation because of reluctance to participate in events that take place in noisy environments such as restaurants, movies or even church. One consequence is a trend towards increased rates of depression among those with untreated hearing loss.

Another reason not to wait for ten years is that when you eventually do seek help, it can be more difficult to adjust. Over the years you slowly lose the ability to hear background noise, and your brain forgets what it sounds like. Then when you get fitted with a hearing aid, forgotten sound comes back regardless of whether it’s speech or traffic noise. Unfortunately, the brain must learn how to hear all over again, and the transition becomes more difficult.

However, when you get a hearing device early in this process, the brain is better able to remember the best way to ignore unwanted noise, and so the transition is much smoother.

Do yourself a favor, and don’t go into denial. Rather than blame other people for mumbling, take responsibility and schedule a hearing evaluation so you can get back to a better listening experience.