New Years is a time we often spend reflecting on the past year, and making resolutions for how to do better in the next year. Some resolutions are just for fun, like resolving to try new foods, or planning an exciting vacation. Others are a bit more serious, like deciding to get healthy, eat better, or be more active. If you’ve made resolutions to be healthier, then this is a great opportunity to think about your hearing health. Living with untreated hearing loss affects far more than your ability to hear, and has far reaching consequences to your overall health and wellbeing. Here are 3 things you can do this year to improve your hearing.
Get a Hearing Test
One of the most important things you can do for your hearing and for your health is to take a hearing test. Don’t think you have hearing loss? The truth is, hearing loss is often a gradual process, and you might not have noticed the changes in your hearing. Your family may be the first ones to notice your hearing loss, and complain that you always have the TV too loud, or don’t hear the phone ringing. Have you been having trouble hearing in conversations, or difficulty hearing is someone speaks to you from another room? These are common signs of hearing loss.
Whether or not you think you have hearing loss, getting your hearing tested is the first step towards healthy hearing. It’s recommended that you take a hearing test every year if you’re over 60, so you can monitor your hearing, and treat any hearing loss as soon as possible. Wearing hearing aids is the best thing you can do to improve your hearing, so book an appointment for a hearing assessment as soon as possible and enjoy a year full of great sounds.
Be More Social
Have you found yourself withdrawing from social situations, or isolating yourself? It can be challenging to enjoy events, or even dinner with friends, when you’re struggling to hear. You don’t want to answer inappropriately, and it may seem embarrassing to have to ask someone to repeat themselves. Staying home where it’s quiet might seem like a good idea, but it won’t help your hearing. Be open about your hearing loss, and don’t let it stop you enjoying your favorite activities. With your hearing aid, you can still enjoy time with friends, even in a complex listening environment, and as you get used to the programs and settings of your new device, you can improve your hearing in any situation. Many hearing aids are connected to your phones, so with an easy to use app you can discreetly control the programs and settings on your hearing aids to get the most out of your evening.
Check Your Hearing Aids
Already have a pair of hearing aids you love? That’s great! But when was the last time you had your hearing aids checked? Regular tune-ups are the best way to make sure your hearing aids are in good working order, and are helping you hear. It’s important to visit your audiologist at least once a year to make sure your hearing aids are working properly. We’ll check them over, looking for any cracks, damage, or buildup of earwax, dirt, or dust. We know you clean your hearing aid regularly, but we’ll perform a professional cleaning to make sure your hearing aids are doing all the work for you. If you’ve been having any technical difficulties, or issues with fit, talk about it during your checkup and let us fix any issues before they become major problems.
Don’t get bogged down with complicated new year’s resolutions you’re not going to keep. This year, do a few simple things that are easy to maintain, and that will improve your hearing health as well as your overall health. This year, resolve to stop missing out on any of the sounds around you. If you want to book a hearing test, or want more tips on how to improve your hearing this year, visit us today at My Hearing Centers where our trained hearing specialists can answer all your questions, and give you great advice on how to hear more.