Why It's Important To Have Your Hearing Tested And When To See An Audiologist

Your doctor probably screens you for hearing loss when you have a yearly physical, but that's not the same as having a hearing test from an audiologist. It's a good idea to have a baseline hearing test done at some point when you're an adult and any other time that you're having hearing difficulty. Here's when it's time to consider seeing an audiologist and why it's important to have a hearing test.

Signs It's Time For A Hearing Test

You can develop hearing problems at any stage of life, so even if you're young, you should see an audiologist if you notice a change in your hearing. You may not be aware of your hearing loss, but others might complain that you have the TV on too loud. You may hear noises and sounds okay but have trouble understanding conversations, especially in places like a restaurant with a noisy background. When it's difficult for you to follow conversations or if you're starting to avoid people because you're embarrassed about not being able to hear them, you should have your hearing tested.

Another time to see an audiologist is when you hear tones or ringing in your ear. Tinnitus may or may not affect your hearing, but it's a condition an audiologist might be able to treat with a device that can mask the sound. Audiologists not only test your hearing to determine if you need a hearing aid; they also screen for problems that might be the cause of your hearing loss such as wax buildup or a medical condition. When you notice a change in your hearing, it doesn't always mean you need a hearing aid. On the other hand, you might need a hearing device, and if you get one, you could notice an improvement in your quality of life.

Why Hearing Testing Is Important

Hearing testing is important because it determines if you have hearing loss, what kind of loss you have, and how bad it is. When you have periodic testing, your audiologist can track the progression of hearing loss over the years, which may help your doctor monitor a medical condition. Testing your hearing allows you get treatment to hear better so that you can stay engaged with people and not avoid them due to not being able to distinguish words.

Wearing a hearing aid could keep you safer since you may not hear cars approaching when you're walking if you can't hear well. Hearing loss might also contribute to dementia and isolation as you age. Hearing loss can happen so gradually that you don't notice it, which is why it's important to see an audiologist for testing and treatment. Visit a site like https://drmarkmontgomery.com/ to learn more about testing.