Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when we all take some time to reflect on the past year, and resolve to do things differently this year. Have you already made your new year’s resolutions? Maybe you’ve made some fun resolutions, like planning an exciting holiday, or maybe you’ve made resolutions about your health. Are you planning to eat healthier, or exercise more? Whatever your new year’s resolutions are, we hope you’ll add your hearing health to the list.
Why Take a Hearing Test?
Hearing loss is one of the most common health concerns in the United States, with nearly 40 million Americans of all ages struggling to hear. If you’re straining to follow conversations, or have given up doing some of the things you love because you just can’t hear anymore, it’s time to resolve to get a hearing test in 2018.
Audiologists and doctors all recommend scheduling an annual hearing exam, so you can monitor any changes in your hearing, and get treatment early. Don’t think you need a hearing test? Hearing loss is often gradual, so as you lose certain sounds, you’re able to make small adjustments to how you listen, or how you interact with the world around you. You may not realize how bad your hearing has become until your family starts complaining that the TV is always too loud, or notice that you often don’t hear the phone ringing.
Many people with mild to moderate hearing loss don’t think they have hearing loss at all! Getting your hearing checked each year, even if you think your hearing isn’t that bad, is important for your hearing health.
The Right Time for a Hearing Test
If you’re experiencing any of the signs of hearing loss, like struggling to hear in conversations or in places with background noise, can’t hear high pitched sounds like birds chirping, or have experienced any buzzing, whistling or ringing in your ears, then book a hearing test right away! If your hearing loss is impacting your health, then it’s the right time for a hearing test. Don’t wait for your hearing to deteriorate, or for your friends to pressure you into going. Take control of your health and call us today!
If you’re over 60, and don’t think you’re experiencing hearing loss, it’s a good idea to have a yearly checkup, so you can catch any changes to your hearing as early as possible. It can be hard to remember to book a hearing test, so January is a perfect time to take the step towards hearing health, and add a hearing test to your new year’s resolutions.
Is this Your First Hearing Test?
Never had a hearing test before? Don’t worry, hearing tests are easy, painless, and non-invasive. Hearing tests start with a conversation about your hearing health, and a history of your family’s health and hearing problems. We’ll also ask about your lifestyle, to see where you might be at risk of noise induced hearing loss, or any other hearing damage.
We’ll then test your hearing using several tests to determine your hearing range, and your ability to hear in quiet or in noise. We’ll play sounds, and all you have to do is let us know if you can hear them or not. We also test speech recognition, to see how well you can follow speech at different volumes. This allows us to understand your hearing loss, and make a plan for what kind of treatment you need.
Finally, we’ll check your ears to make sure there’s no damage to the structures of the ear, or any earwax buildup that might be affecting your ability to hear clearly.
Treating Hearing Loss
If the hearing test reveals that you have hearing loss, then it’s time to talk about treatment options. The earlier you seek treatment for your hearing loss the easier it will be for you to adjust to hearing aids, and safeguard your hearing.
At My Hearing Centers, our trained hearing specialists will help you find the perfect hearing device from our top hearing aid brands, and will create the perfect combination of programs and settings to fit into your lifestyle and provide the hearing support you need to have a great year.