Many have the ridiculous notion that only the elderly should undergo hearing tests. Although aging is a known factor for hearing loss, there are other reasons why you have hearing issues. Even newborns undergo such an examination before leaving the hospital.
Specialists highly recommend going through one if you notice something wrong. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association advocates hearing tests every decade through age fifty. After which, you should take one at a three-year interval.
Considering that hearing loss happens gradually, we often ignore the tell-tale signs. We only begin to fret about our hearing if the problem is irreversible. You should pay attention to this article to avoid such a fate.
How the Body Processes Sound
The ear can pick up sound waves and transmit them to the eardrum. These are transferred to the cochlea, a snail-shaped portion of the inner ear, and are covered by delicate hair-like structures called cilia.
Waves from the cochlea are then sent to nerve cells, which, in turn, forward signals to the brain, telling you what you just heard. The brain computes the cues to understand what words and sounds you listen to.
What happens when you cannot hear correctly? When the cilia vibrate and trigger the nerve cells, a series of signals are sent to the brain, which processes these signals.
The brain receives no signals if the cells do not fire up due to a hearing issue. It is like the ear cannot receive sound waves. In fact, the common problem today is noise pollution. The ear cannot adapt to the loud noises coming from our surroundings.
Hearing Loss and Health
Hearing loss makes it challenging to enjoy your favorite songs, movies, or company. You may even find it hard to function at work. However, it has more severe repercussions for the body than you think.
Research has shown that hearing loss can lead to a higher risk of depression and anxiety. When you cannot hear what is going on around you, it impairs your ability to connect socially. As a result, you will naturally withdraw from people and activities you once loved.
The condition puts you at greater risk for falls, as you cannot hear people or objects that can cause you to stumble. You are more vulnerable to accidents at work, and you cannot listen to what the boss is saying.
You tend to lose balance as your body compensates for the missing auditory cues. Your balance suffers, and so do your bones, as you are more prone to falls and breaks. Head injuries can also make the hearing problem worse.
Protect Yourself against Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a widespread problem. However, you do not have to wait until it is too late. You can start protecting your hearing now while it’s still early.
Wear the right hearing protection devices. They block out the sound waves and lessen the impact on your ears. That way, you can enjoy your favorite things and hobbies.
You will not have to retreat from your normal activities and lose your confidence to try new things anymore. You can avoid all the potentially more severe problems that come with hearing loss.
Conclusion
It is prudent to undergo hearing tests no matter what age you are. You may be unaware that you have a problem. Learn from the results and take steps to prevent further nerve damage.
With that said, you should visit Hear More Associates. We can assess the results of your hearing tests so that you can reverse hearing loss. Visit one of our clinics in Lexington, Greater Boston, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island now!
