Often, we fail to notice if our hearing has worsened because it can occur so gradually over an extended period of time. It is something that develops so gradually over time that you may not be aware of slight changes in your hearing. Usually, children receive hearing screenings every few months as they develop, while many adults think that hearing loss is merely an issue that arises in the future. However, problems with hearing can occur as early as adolescence if not monitored through regular screenings, which can help identify early signs of hearing loss.
With this in mind, it is important that you have a hearing test to establish a baseline that will be used during check-ups so that your audiologist can aid you in diagnosing certain medical ear conditions that can cause hearing loss or tinnitus at a later stage in your adult life.
The benefits of a hearing screening span from:
- Removing the uncertainty, you may feel at some stages in your life which have been causing stress levels to increase. Hearing screenings are painless and usually take only an hour of your time to be able to improve your hearing and your life on a long-term basis. Once you have the results, you can then determine how best to move forward. For many individuals who take a screening, there is a sense of relief in knowing that hearing aids will improve quality of life.
- An obvious benefit would also be improved socializing skills and bettering a sense of inclusion within your social circles and community if you feel like you’ve been missing out or having to ask people to repeat themselves. In this way, mental health can be seen to have improved.
- Participating in a screening can also lead to the early diagnosis of other health issues which may be underlying. Sometimes, hearing loss can appear as a symptom of an infection or a more serious health issue such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease. It can also be associated with depression, dementia and falls.
The important life stages for hearing screenings include:
At Birth
In the United States, it is a legal requirement that every newborn baby receives a hearing test. If a hearing impairment is found, it will inevitably interfere with a baby’s ability to interact with its environment and social surroundings due to the potential stunting of language learning. Therefore, the earlier a hearing deficit is identified, the sooner treatments can begin and any problems can be rectified before they have severe consequences.
Throughout Childhood
It should be standardized that several national schools conduct hearing tests on a regular basis through their community health departments so that misdiagnoses do not occur. Sometimes, children can be told they have a particular disability when in actuality, they could just be suffering hearing impairment. A child’s pediatrician is also in the position to recommend a hearing test if they, or the child’s parents, believe there might be a problem.
As a Young Adult
Due to advancements in modern technology, adolescents’ hearing is at risk now more than ever. Noise-induced hearing loss can come about as a result of listening to loud music through earbuds, a car stereo, or at a live concert – all these factors can permanently or temporarily damage hearing. Knowing this, participating in a baseline test during adolescent years can serve as a useful tool to treat any impairments that can worsen over time. When a young adult identifies and corrects their hearing loss, they will find social interaction and career advancements easier later in life.
Throughout Adulthood and Later Years
Age-related changes in hearing, for better or for worse yet usually the latter, typically takes form after you’ve reached 50 years of age. Without regular screenings to catch gradual hearing loss as it occurs, adults can risk the health of relationships and miss out on certain career opportunities due to a hearing impairment they had not been made aware of prior to its consequences.
Within the later years of life, hearing loss in adults can be easily misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of cognitive impairment. This uncorrected and untreated hearing loss can give rise to social isolation, depression and dementia in older adults. At this age, it may prove to be more difficult to get adjusted to using hearing aids, so it is recommended to get a hearing screening as soon as possible.
Whether it’s your first or simply an update you need, the audiologists at The Hearing Doctors are available to screen your hearing quickly and efficiently. To schedule a hearing test or learn more about our treatments options, give us a call at (630) 315-2899.
