If you’re like most, you’ve most likely been postponing your hearing test. You may even have had others suggest that you get one but you keep coming up with excuses not to go.
If that’s the case, we’re going to try to persuade you to begin the new year by finally getting that hearing test. As you’ll see, having your hearing tested is quick and easy, and if you do have hearing loss, addressing 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 set up a hearing test right away.
Our top 10 reasons to get a hearing test are:
1. The hearing test is pain-free and takes under an hour – it’s easy to book an appointment, and getting your hearing tested requires less time than it takes to shop for groceries. Instead of 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 inform 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 affected is commonly not the first to notice. That means that 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 becomes 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 sound and speech processing.
5. Hearing loss may be a sign of other health issues – hearing loss is commonly 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 either case, your hearing health is deeply linked to your overall well-being.
6. You can protect 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 demonstrated that increasing sound stimulation to the brain may help to keep your mind sharp.
7. You can boost 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 heightened 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 detect a difference in your social habits. Those with better hearing tend to be more outgoing and less restrained in groups, which elevates both mood and physical health.
9. You’ll have better conversations – hearing loss as a rule affects speech comprehension the most, 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 make more money – a study by the Better Hearing Institute found that people with hearing loss, on average, earn $12,000 less per year compared to those with normal hearing, based 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, this is the time to take action.
So how about it? For the sake of your health and happiness and for those around you, book your hearing test today!