Do you think that everyone around you is speaking far too softly or mumbling all the time? Have you given up talking on the phone or started turning up the volume on the TV? These signs indicate that you may have a hearing loss, and now is the perfect time to schedule a hearing test!
March 3 is World Hearing Day, and the World Health Organization takes this opportunity to raise awareness of hearing loss, reduce the stigma around hearing loss, and encouraging everyone to take control of their hearing health. This year their theme is ‘check your hearing!’ so in honor of World Hearing Day, this is the perfect time to get your hearing checked!
Untreated Hearing Loss
Did you know that nearly 40 million Americans are struggling to hear? Half of all seniors over the age of 75 have hearing loss, and 15% of adults are staining to hear. Even children and teens have higher rates of hearing loss than ever before!
While you might not think that a little hearing loss will affect your life, living with untreated hearing loss has some major consequences. If you’ve been struggling to hear, you’ve already noticed the affect is has had on your closest relationships. You ask your loved ones to repeat themselves more often, sometimes miss what they’ve said all together, and feel the frustration coming from all sides. You’ve had your fair share of miscommunications, and while some of them were quite funny, they’re starting to impact your relationships, and lead to some serious misunderstandings and fights. Those with untreated hearing loss are more likely to face loneliness, social isolation, and even depression.
Who’s at Risk of Hearing Loss
As the Baby Boomer generation ages, more and more people begin to experience hearing loss. If you’ve 65 years old or more, you’re far more likely to have hearing loss than your younger friends and family members. Many seniors suffer from age related hearing loss. Just as your knees or hips might not be as strong as they once were, your ears have also experienced a lifetime of strain, and might not work as well as they used to.
However, people of all ages experience hearing loss. The most common form of hearing loss among adults is noise induced hearing loss. It’s the result of exposure to dangerously loud noise levels. This can be at work, from power tools or heavy machinery, at home when operating a sander or leaf blower, or even during loud recreational activities like a night out with friends, a rock concert, or a sporting event. Whenever you’re exposed to very loud noises, be sure the wear ear protection, and safeguard your hearing!
Children and teens also risk hearing loss, often from noise exposure. Children’s ears can’t withstand the same noise levels as adults, and many face hearing loss from noisy recess periods, crowded hallways, or even gym class. If you have teenagers, you know that they always have earbuds in their ears, and this could be doing far more damage than you realize. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that 1.1 billion children around the world are risking their hearing due to unsafe listening practices.
Get a Hearing Test
If you are over the age of 50, its recommended that your get your hearing tested once per year to make sure your ears are still hearing clearly. Early intervention is the key to a smooth transition to hearing aids, and treating hearing loss as soon as you notice it is the best way to keep communication easy, protect your closest relationships, and avoid social isolation.
If you’re a young adult, you should get a hearing test every few years to check in on your hearing health. Even a simple baseline test can help you determine if your hearing has changed, and allow you to monitor your hearing health. Can’t remember when you had your last hearing test? It’s time to book one today!
Children and teens also need hearing tests to make sure they’re not damaging their hearing during the most critical developmental years of their lives.
My Hearing Centers
In honor of World Hearing Day, check your hearing! Call us today at My Hearing Centers to book your comprehensive hearing test.