Why It’s Important to Schedule a Hearing Test this Fall

Scheduling a hearing test in the fall is a proactive step towards preserving your auditory wellbeing. Sometimes, recognizing the subtle signs of hearing loss can be challenging on your own. Despite our busy schedules, acknowledging the significance our hearing ability has on our lives is vital. Even if you suspect a decline in your hearing abilities, gauging the extent of the loss requires a professional assessment. Scheduling a hearing test is a crucial measure to gain clarity on your auditory health, allowing you to address any potential issues promptly.

If You’re Over a Certain Age

People can lose their hearing at any age and for a variety of reasons. If you’ve ever had an ear infection, you may well have lost your ability to hear in the affected ear. Earwax blockages are another common cause of temporary hearing loss. When it comes to permanent hearing loss and damage, the same applies. Some people are born unable to hear, while others lose their hearing through illnesses, injury, or wear and tear due to working in a loud environment.

But even if you’ve never had problems with your hearing, you are more likely to experience hearing loss as you get older. Not everyone loses their hearing in older age, and it can run in families, so if your parents and other relatives lost their hearing when they were over 50, you have a higher chance of hearing loss as well.

Whether hearing loss runs in your family or not, aging is a significant risk factor. You should schedule a hearing test to ensure that you aren’t experiencing the start of hearing loss, even if you haven’t noticed any differences. yet.

Hidden Signs of Hearing Loss

If you have a sudden loss of hearing, you notice it very quickly. However, most people experience gradual, cumulative hearing loss. Your brain is very good at adjusting and compensating for small changes to your hearing so that you can continue to function as normal. Unfortunately, this means that you might not even notice that you’re losing your hearing until you have experienced a significant loss of hearing.

This means that, often, the last person to realize that they have lost their hearing is the person actually experiencing the hearing loss.

Your friends and family might notice, because they repeat themselves more often and have to speak more loudly to be heard by you. So, if your loved ones suggest that you may be losing your hearing, listen to them and book a hearing test this fall.

Other signs of hearing loss could be that you have to turn the volume up or use closed captions on the television, especially if you’ve never done this before. You might find that you struggle to keep up with conversations in crowded areas. You may even notice sensitivity to some sounds.

What Happens During a Hearing Test

The only way to find out whether you do have hearing loss, and to what extent, is to get a hearing test with a trained audiologist. During the test, the audiologist will first talk to you about your symptoms and your experiences. If you have any concerns, now is the time to mention them.

After asking some questions, the audiologist will then start the test properly. You will be asked to wear special headphones. The audiologist will play sounds of different frequencies and you should push a button when you hear a sound. You might also wear a headband that can track how well you can hear through vibrations.

The audiologist will then perform a physical examination of your ear using a small camera. They will look at your ear canal and your ear drum to check for any damage or obstructions that could interfere with your hearing. If you are experiencing hearing loss, then your audiologist may recommend hearing aids. They will program and fit the hearing aids for you, and you should return within four weeks to get them checked and tuned again.

Repeat Appointments

If you already have hearing aids or you’re aware of hearing loss due to a past hearing test, it’s especially important that you schedule regular hearing tests. Hearing loss is often progressive, so your hearing will change in time. This means that your hearing aids may become less effective and need recalibrated. An audiologist can track changes to your hearing and program your hearing aids to provide a much better result. If you are ready to get started down the path to better hearing, simply schedule an appointment with an audiologist at Big Thicket Hearing Aids & Audiology by calling (409) 751-2590.