Now that we’re in the dog days of summer, things may feel busier than ever. Making and accomplishing goals related to your health can feel overwhelming. Our daily lives are often busy and filled with tasking work schedules, family responsibilities, commitments with friends, and other obligations. It is not always easy or convenient to prioritize your health but it is absolutely necessary. One quick step you can take now is scheduling an appointment to get your hearing tested!
Hearing health is a growing concern today. Impairment to hearing can happen to anyone and impacts your overall physical and emotional health. This can affect your relationships, job performance, and general happiness. Getting tested and the possibility of early detection can drastically change your life.
You may be asking yourself several questions like: how do I know if you should get tested? What is a hearing assessment? Is hearing loss treatable? We are here to provide you with the information you need in order to be proactive about your health.
How do you know if you should get tested?
There are many signs of hearing loss that can be experienced by anyone. Symptoms are a result of various factors such as family history, medical conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, viral infections etc.), and environmental circumstances (for example, consistent short or long-term exposure to loud noises). Symptoms of hearing loss include:
- Tinnitus which is the perception of a ringing or buzzing noise in one or both ears
- Difficulty completely understanding a conversation
- Ability to hear sound but not make out specific words
- Increasing the volume on your phone, TV, or any other device
- Having to ask other people to repeat themselves, or speak loudly and slowly
- Trying to read mouths during conversations because you have difficulty hearing distinct words
These symptoms can cause you to feel like you have to work extra hard to hear which can lead to exhaustion, stress, and embarrassment. You may avoid social gatherings, noisy environments, and conversations with multiple people. This can impact how you feel emotionally on a daily basis. Getting tested can alleviate this stress and get you on track to better hearing!
What is a hearing assessment?
A hearing test examines the health of your ear system. It not only determines if you are experiencing hearing loss, but also establishes the degree (normal to severe) and type (conductive, sensorial, or mixed) of impairment.
This information, or hearing health profile, is needed to develop the most effective treatment for you. There are a few steps to the exam:
- Ear Inspection: we use an otoscope to take a look at your ear canal, checking for any damage or buildup of earwax (we will remove wax if necessary).
- Audiometry and Speech Evaluation: you will wear headphones in a quiet room and our hearing healthcare professional will play sounds and speech at different volumes and pitches. This will let us know the softest sounds and speech you can hear and at what frequency.
- Results: your results will be tracked on an audiogram, which is a chart that visually shows your hearing abilities in both ears. We will discuss this information with you during the appointment as well as effective treatment options.
Is hearing loss treatable?
Yes! There are several ways hearing loss is treated. The most common treatment is hearing aids. Our experts are committed to remaining informed on the latest technology and information about hearing aids. We proudly offer the people we work with the best available options for them. You will be able to try different types of hearing aids and together, we will find the most effective and comfortable device for you. Hearing aids can drastically improve the quality of your hearing. You can hear sounds and words you previously struggled to hear or were not even aware that you were missing. This will allow you to completely participate in all aspects of your life!
Schedule a Hearing Test Today
Better hearing often means improved physical and emotional health. It is a great time to commit to your health by taking this quick step. Call us today to schedule your appointment!