If you’re like most, you’ve likely been postponing your hearing test. You might even have had others advise that you get one but you keep coming up with reasons not to go.
If so, we’re going to attempt to convince you to begin the new year by finally getting that hearing test. As you’ll notice, having your hearing tested is fast and easy, and if you do have hearing loss, correcting it does wonders for your overall health and happiness—not to mention it gets everyone off your back.
So here’s our case for why you should schedule a hearing test right away.
Our top 10 reasons to get a hearing test are:
1. The hearing test is painless and takes less than an hour – it’s simple to schedule an appointment, and having your hearing tested takes less time than it takes to go shopping for groceries. Rather than having it continually in the back of your mind, call today and get it over with.
2. If your hearing is normal you can rub it in – if the hearing test demonstrates that your hearing is normal, you can tell your family members and friends that they really ARE mumbling.
3. You might, in fact, have hearing loss and not recognize it – hearing loss develops progressively, so the person afflicted is usually not the first to notice. That means that there’s a good chance your family and friends were right when they recommended that you get a hearing test in the first place.
4. Hearing loss becomes worse over time and is best treated early – the hearing you lose cannot be totally recovered, but hearing aids can help reverse the process and stimulate the parts of the brain involved with sound and speech processing.
5. Hearing loss may be indicative of other health issues – hearing loss is commonly caused by direct exposure to loud noise or by the normal aging process. But on occasion, hearing loss is a manifestation of a more serious underlying cardiovascular or neurological condition. In either case, your hearing health is heavily linked to your overall well-being.
6. You can preserve and improve your mind and memory – recent studies by Johns Hopkins University have linked hearing loss to cognitive decline, memory problems, and even dementia. But a recent study has also shown that enhancing sound stimulation to the brain may help to keep your mind sharp.
7. You can elevate your mood – researchers have found a strong connection between hearing loss and depression, but research also demonstrates that individuals with hearing loss that use hearing aids have less depressive symptoms and greater social engagement.
8. You’ll be more outgoing and social – If you do have hearing loss and can be helped by hearing aids, you may notice a change in your social behavior. Individuals with better hearing have the tendency to be more outgoing and less restrained in groups, which improves both mood and physical health.
9. You’ll have better conversations – hearing loss as a rule impacts speech comprehension to the greatest degree, disrupting conversations. If you’re tired of having to say “what” all the time, it may be time for a hearing test.
10. You can make more money – a study by the Better Hearing Institute discovered that those with hearing loss, on average, earn $12,000 less per year compared to those with normal hearing, depending on the degree of hearing loss. However, the study also found that the use of hearing aids canceled out these income effects by 50 percent.
As the research continues to pour in, it will only confirm how integral hearing health is to our total quality of life. So if you are concerned about your health, your relationships, and your total well-being, now is the time to take action.
So how about it? For the benefit of your health and happiness and for those around you, set up your hearing test today!
