If you’re like most, you’ve likely been delaying your hearing test. You might even have had others propose that you get one but you keep finding reasons not to go.
If so, we’re going to attempt to persuade 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 health and happiness—not to mention it gets everyone off your back.
So here’s our case for why you should book a hearing test right away.
Our top 10 reasons to get your hearing tested are:
1. The hearing test is pain-free and takes under an hour – it’s easy to schedule an appointment, and getting your hearing tested takes less time than it takes to shop for groceries. As opposed to 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 verifies that your hearing is normal, you can tell your family members and friends that they really ARE mumbling.
3. You may, in fact, have hearing loss and not realize it – hearing loss develops slowly, so the person impacted is commonly not the first to notice. That means that there’s a good chance your family and friends were correct 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 entirely restored, 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 an indication of other health issues – hearing loss is normally caused by direct exposure to loud noise or by the normal aging process. But sometimes, hearing loss is a symptom of a more dangerous underlying cardiovascular or neurological condition. In any event, your hearing health is deeply connected to your total well-being.
6. You can preserve and enhance your mind and memory – recent studies by Johns Hopkins University have linked hearing loss to cognitive decline, memory issues, 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 discovered a strong association 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 social and outgoing – If you do have hearing loss and can be helped by hearing aids, you might notice an alteration in your social habits. People with better hearing tend to be more extroverted and less restrained in groups, which boosts both mood and physical health.
9. You’ll have much better conversations – hearing loss commonly impacts speech comprehension to the greatest degree, interfering with conversations. If you’re tired of having to say “what” all of the time, it might be time for a hearing test.
10. You can earn more money – a study by the Better Hearing Institute found that individuals 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 offset these income effects by 50 percent.
As the research continues to pour in, it will only affirm how crucial hearing health is to our total quality of life. So if you care about your health, your relationships, and your overall 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, arrange for your hearing test today!