You will still see your eye doctor annually even if you already use eyeglasses. Because your eyes change over time. Nothing in your body is static, not your eyes and not, it turns out, your ears either. That’s why, much like your eyes, it’s essential to keep having your ears tested even after you’ve invested in a quality pair of hearing aids.
Many individuals, regrettably, neglect those annual appointments. Perhaps they’ve been too busy enjoying their lives to get back in to see your physician. Or, it may be that your job has been hectic lately. Or maybe you’ve just decided to not go back in because you’re so satisfied with your hearing aids. That’s a good thing, right?
Scheduling a hearing test
Let’s take Daphne as an imaginary example. Daphne has been detecting some red flags with her hearing for a while now. She keeps turning the TV up. She has a hard time following discussions at after-work happy hours in noisy restaurants. And so, she goes to have her hearing checked (because she’s smart and she takes care of herself).
After having her hearing tested, Daphne does everything she is supposed to: she buys hearing aids, which are then correctly fitted and calibrated, and then she gets on with her life.
Issue solved? Well, maybe not completely. It’s great that Daphne went in for a hearing test and caught her hearing problems early. But for most people with hearing impairment, even a minor one, follow-up care becomes almost more vital in the long run. Daphne would be doing herself a favor by going to regular appointments. But Daphne’s not alone in neglected check-ups, based on one survey, just 33% of senior citizens using hearing aids also scheduled routine hearing services.
If you already have hearing aids, why do you need check-ups?
Remember when we used the glasses metaphor earlier? Just because Daphne has hearing aids now doesn’t mean her hearing will become static and stop changing. Her hearing aids will have to be adjusted to counter those changes. Periodic testing helps track any changes in hearing and catch issues early.
And that’s not even the only reason why it might be a smart idea to keep regular appointments once you have your hearing aids. Some of the most prevailing reasons to ensure you make it to your next check-up include:
- Your fit may change: It’s possible that there will be a shift in how your hearing aids fit as your ears are always changing. Routine hearing tests can help ensure that your hearing aids continue to fit the way they’re supposed to.
- Hearing degeneration: Even with a hearing aid, your hearing may keep deteriorating. If this deterioration is slow enough, you probably won’t realize it’s happening without the aid of a hearing screening. Proper alterations to your hearing aids can frequently slow hearing loss.
- Hearing aid calibration: Your hearing changes in small ways, and while your general hearing may remain stable, these slight changes may require you to get regular hearing assessments. Your hearing aid may become less and less efficient if you skip this calibration.
Dangers and hurdles
The problem is, Daphne could, in her frustration, quit using her hearing aids entirely because they’re not functioning properly. Over time, hearing loss can be slowed by using hearing aids. If you quit wearing them, not only can your hearing diminish faster, you might not detect it right away.
In terms of attaining optimal performance of your hearing aids, and optimal hearing, regular hearing assessments are vital. Safeguard your hearing and ensure your hearing aids are properly working by having routine screenings.