If you’ve never had a hearing test, you really should consider having one sooner rather than later! Although you may think that your hearing is fine now, preventative healthcare can detect problems early, allowing a hearing specialist to nip potential issues in the bud, saving you problems in the long-term.
Preventative treatment
Recent research has shown that your hearing can affect much more than just your ears. Your hearing can impact many aspects of your health and life.
For example, did you know that untreated hearing loss can increase your likelihood of suffering from dementia, decrease your cognitive function, and lead to feelings of isolation? Even mental health problems, including depression, have been linked to hearing problems.
So, you can see that the early treatment of hearing loss can ultimately improve your general health and well-being. Don’t wait until you are having difficulties before getting your hearing tested. In reality, you have most likely been suffering from minor hearing loss for anywhere up to 15 years without even realising that you had a problem!
Begin with a baseline hearing test
Healthcare professionals recommend that your first “baseline” hearing test is carried out early in adulthood at around the age of 18 or 21. If you’re older than 21 and you have never had a baseline test, the sooner that you have one, the better the chance you have of avoiding hearing problems in later life.
The baseline hearing test provides a frame of reference for hearing tests that you will have later in life. You should know that a hearing test is about much more than simply detecting beeps! The baseline hearing test will measure how sensitive you are to sounds. The test will also measure how well you can understand speech at both very soft levels and at a slightly louder, but still comfortable volume.
Also, the hearing specialist will examine your ears visually to assess their overall health.
Follow-up hearing tests
The frequency of your hearing tests after your baseline test will depend on several variables, including:
- the results of your baseline hearing tests
- your risk of developing hearing loss
- your age
- any existing health conditions that you suffer from
If hearing loss is detected at the baseline test, annual hearing tests will be recommended.
Also, if your lifestyle puts you at a high risk of developing hearing loss, annual hearing tests will be recommended. Risk factors include exposure to noise, both in your working environment and recreationally (loud music, firearms, motorcycles), as well as your age.
Because hearing loss occurs more frequently with as you get older, it is recommended that people over 60 years of age have a hearing test every two years, even if no hearing loss was detected at their most recent evaluation.
Let London Hearing look after your hearing for you
No matter how old you are, the early detection of hearing problems can lead to prompt treatment and your improved overall health.
To find out more about baseline testing and regular hearing evaluations and tests, contact our team of expert hearing healthcare professionals today.