During a visit, your doctor might ask you to get a hearing test sometimes. Don’t worry; it’s no cause for alarm. A hearing test is just to ensure nothing is wrong with your ears. That said, if you experience one or more of these symptoms out of nowhere, you should tell your doctor:
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Sleep problems
Sure, these signs can be symptoms of other illnesses or conditions, but if they’re coupled with changes in your lifestyle, you may be dealing with hearing loss.
Even just a single one of those can very well be a sign of pronounced hearing loss. Have you been raising the volume of your television, radio, smartphone, or similar device higher and higher? Are you suddenly getting asked why you’re shouting often, even if you don’t think you are? If you’re experiencing any of these plus any of the symptoms above, you may be starting to experience hearing loss.
What Is the Test Like?
Perhaps the most important thing to point out is that a hearing test is absolutely painless.
During a hearing test, your hearing will be tested at different volumes. You may have to wear headphones and listen to different volumes through the headphones.
If you can’t hear the softest volume of tones or words, a hearing test will also try to figure out why. For example, if your hearing loss is permanent, the most common cause is a certain kind of hearing loss called presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss.
Some people have temporary hearing loss. This can happen for two reasons. A temporary hearing loss can result from fluid in your inner ear, a condition called otitis media with effusion. Fluid in the inner ear can sometimes be caused by a cold or an ear infection.
For adults, the recommendation is a hearing test every 10 years until they’re 50 years old. After that, it becomes more frequent: every three years.
What Could Lead to Hearing Loss?
People can lose their hearing for a number of reasons, like:
- Being around loud noises often at work
- Getting hit on the head
- Having an infection
- Loud music, both live and recorded
- Mowing the lawn or using power tools
- Problems with hearing that run in the family
- Shooting guns or other weapons
- Taking certain drugs
- Too much ear wax
This is an issue that should be detected and treated immediately, especially for older adults. Those who end up with hearing loss may have trouble communicating, which can have serious consequences. Families often experience high levels of stress, and sometimes the caregiver’s peace of mind is affected. The stress may lead to poor physical and emotional health.
Conclusion
Hearing tests can help a person determine if they have hearing loss. It’s an important procedure to go through especially while aging well into adulthood. The test is painless and will be a good starting point for the doctor and patient to work together towards a treatment plan if deemed necessary. The earlier a problem is detected, the sooner your condition can be addressed or managed.
Want to get the best hearing test in Lexington? Reach out to Hear More Associates today! We’re the most trusted specialists for hearing care across Lexington and Greater Boston, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
