If you’re like most, you’ve likely been delaying your hearing test. You may even have had others recommend that you get one but you keep finding excuses not to go.
If that’s the case, we’re going to attempt to persuade you to begin the new year by finally getting that hearing test. As you’ll discover, having your hearing tested is quick 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 book a hearing test as soon as possible.
Our top 10 reasons to get your hearing tested are:
1. The hearing test is pain-free and takes less than an hour – it’s easy to book an appointment, and getting your hearing tested takes less time than it takes to shop for groceries. Rather than having it constantly 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 confirms 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 builds up slowly, so the person impacted is normally not the first to notice. That means there’s a good chance your loved ones were right when they recommended that you get a hearing test in the first place.
4. Hearing loss gets worse over time and is best treated promptly – the hearing you lose cannot be entirely restored, but hearing aids can help reverse the process and stimulate the portions of the brain involved with speech and sound processing.
5. Hearing loss may be indicative of other health issues – hearing loss is usually caused by direct exposure to loud noise or by the normal aging process. But occasionally, hearing loss is a symptom of a more serious underlying cardiovascular or neurological condition. In either case, your hearing health is deeply linked to your total 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 issues, and even dementia. But a recent study has also shown that maximizing sound stimulation to the brain may help to keep your mind strong.
7. You can enhance your mood – researchers have found a strong connection between hearing loss and depression, but research also shows 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 might experience a change in your social behavior. Individuals with better hearing tend to be more extroverted and less reserved in groups, which heightens both mood and physical health.
9. You’ll have better conversations – hearing loss normally impacts speech comprehension to the greatest degree, disrupting conversations. If you’re tired of having to say “what” constantly, 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 offset these income effects by 50 percent.
As the research continues to come in, it will only affirm how fundamental 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!