When Should I Begin Annual Hearing Tests?

Hearing loss can occur to anyone, at any age. As the third most common physical condition in the United States, hearing loss affects 48 million Americans. Approximately 60% of the workforce experiences some degree of hearing loss. It occurs at a higher rate in older Americans, with one in three people over the age of 60 living with some degree of hearing loss. At the same time, statistics show that nearly 15% of Baby Boomers (ages 41 to 59) experience some degree of hearing loss.

Because hearing loss often occurs gradually, we tend not to notice the changes in our hearing abilities. For this reason, it is important to take an annual hearing test to keep track of our abilities and establish a baseline to which we can compare our abilities in the future.

Why Should I Get My Hearing Tested?

Untreated hearing loss often leads to greater issues. Economically, data analysis shows that people with untreated hearing loss have less earning power than people with normal hearing or treated hearing loss, due to difficulties in the workplace. Emotionally, people with untreated hearing loss are at higher risk for depression, stress, and anxiety, as they are less likely to be socially active and engaged with their friends, family, and community.

A series of studies from Johns Hopkins University revealed potential links between untreated hearing loss and an increased risk for dementia. Hearing loss creates a heavier cognitive load for the brain, which struggles to make sense of the auditory signals. Researchers at Johns Hopkins suggest that this cognitive load tires the brain and affects one’s cognitive abilities. Additionally, people with untreated hearing loss have been found at greater risk of suffering falls and accidents, with a higher rate of hospitalization.

Getting Your Hearing Tested Sooner is Better than Later

Even with the statistics of hearing loss prevalence and related problems, it takes an average of seven years from the time individuals notice changes in their hearing before they seek consultation from a hearing professional and take a hearing test to determine their hearing abilities. Hearing specialists and researchers recommend treating hearing loss sooner rather than later, in order to maintain one’s cognitive abilities. The neural pathways in our brains which recognize sounds and speech are dulled when underused, as in the case of untreated hearing loss.

The good news is that these problems are preventable by scheduling a hearing test at the first signs of changes in your hearing ability.

Recognizing the Signs of Hearing Loss

Early signs of hearing loss are overlooked or unidentifiable at the outset. You may find yourself turning up the volume on your phone and electronic devices. It may be difficult to hear your dining companion from across the table at a busy restaurant. You may find conversations difficult to follow, or that people are not speaking clearly. If you’ve found yourself less interested in socializing and that you are more irritable in larger social settings, you may be experiencing early signs of hearing loss.

Sometimes, you may not even notice that you are the one who’s experiencing changes. It may just sound like everyone’s mumbling or that there’s something wrong with the sound on your TV set. If you’ve noticed the above signs in your loved ones, consider talking to them about the possibility of hearing loss. Though it is a difficult conversation, it is an important one, especially when it comes to their overall health and well-being.

And, for those of us who are approached by loved ones who are concerned we may be experiencing hearing loss, take a moment to hear them out.

Schedule an Annual Hearing Test Today!

Regardless of your age, your hearing abilities may begin to change at any time. As a preventative measure, consider scheduling a hearing test annually in your 40s.

If you are not yet in your 40s, there’s no harm in scheduling a hearing test anyway. Though hearing loss was once considered a condition isolated in aging, recent studies have found a 30% increase in the risk for hearing loss in younger populations, between ages 12 and 35, compared to previous generations in the 1980s and 1990s.

No matter your age, hearing loss is treatable, with an influx of hearing aids equipped with wireless technology and diverse capabilities. The first step to better hearing health is to schedule a hearing test and consultation with us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services.