Hearing impairment is a common health problem. Hearing aids have come a long way in their development but there is still a significant number of people that could benefit from them but they have yet to try them. If you suspect that you have hearing loss, there is a good chance that you do, and it is vital to get it checked sooner rather than later by an expert audiologist. Early hearing testing enables you to take steps towards regaining the control over your hearing health so that you can live your very best life.
Here, we look at why early hearing testing is so important.
HELPS TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN BETTER RELATIONSHIPS
Those who experience hearing impairment often withdraw from conversations, which in turn can have a negative impact on relationships. The person with the impairment may feel awkward at asking people to repeat things if they cannot hear or embarrassed that they cannot follow a conversation. It is not always obvious to an outsider that hearing loss is an issue and they may perceive the person as being moody or ignorant. Getting hearing tested at the first sign of a problem can make a huge difference to building and sustaining relationships.
BETTER HEALTH
Hearing loss can be linked to a whole host of surprising health conditions, including a decline in cognitive function, dementia, loss of brain tissue and depression. It can also lead to an increased risk of falling.
It is also thought that the younger someone is, the easier it is to recover from or adapt to hearing loss. Research has pointed to younger brains being able to strengthen the other senses to compensate for the hearing loss, and the younger someone is when they first use a hearing aid, the more effective the device will be.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
If you have an early hearing test and the findings are satisfactory, you can proceed with the assurance that you have good hearing health. If you have your hearing checked and it is revealed that you have hearing loss, you can help yourself prevent all of the potential health and personal difficulties outlined previously. Early detection and treatment of hearing loss can improve your life on so many levels.
IT CAN HELP TO ESTABLISH A BASELINE
Each hearing test you have serves as a baseline for all future tests, allowing your audiologist to detect any abnormalities or warning signs right away. Your hearing test will show you the extent of your hearing loss and your audiologist will remove any wax buildup and discuss the best course of treatment with you.
IT CAN HELP TO DIAGNOSE OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS
Hearing loss can occur as a result of a medical disease or as a result of another condition. Hearing loss can be a side effect of many diseases, medical conditions and a hearing evaluation can be the first step toward whole-body health.
PREVENT FURTHER HEARING LOSS
The longer hearing loss goes unnoticed, the worse it will become. To make matters worse, progressive hearing loss, as we mentioned above, can lead to depression, social disengagement and isolation, among other life-altering conditions. Untreated hearing loss can also cause brain atrophy because the brain’s sound processing regions begin to shut down if they do not receive information. Fortunately, many of them can be halted or even reversed with a hearing aid.
If you are worried that you might be starting to experience a loss in hearing or just want an early checkup for peace of mind, get in touch with us today at the Hearing Institute of Ontario. We have two locations to serve you: Mississauga at 905-949-2002 and Oakville at 905-338-6363. We look forward to supporting you throughout your hearing journey.
