Good hearing is essential to a healthy, productive life. Over five percent of the world’s population has disabling hearing loss. For those over the age of 65, that number becomes one third of the population. Don’t let yourself become part of this statistic. It’s important to get your hearing checked regularly and to not ignore signs of early hearing loss. Keep reading to find out why hearing is so important to a good life.
Why Hearing Ability is Important
Those who have hearing loss can find it isolating. When it’s difficult to hear or follow conversations, it becomes difficult to keep up relationships. Loss of relationships can leave you feeling lonely and depressed. Hearing loss can also lead to the deterioration of cognitive abilities, which puts you at risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
When you get your hearing checked, they’ll also look at your overall ear health. Wax build-up, abnormal growths and infections can all cause early hearing loss. However, if these are found early, it’s less likely they’ll affect your hearing.
Hearing loss can be treated, and the earlier hearing loss is detected, the better treatment options you’ll have. With treatment, your quality of life can be improved. Don’t let hearing loss affect your life, when it doesn’t need to.
What are the Signs of Early Hearing Loss
If you notice any of the following signs, it’s important to get your hearing checked as soon as possible to minimize the disruption to your life.
- You find yourself asking others to speak louder, or more clearly.
- Words sound muffled or like the other person is mumbling.
- You have trouble hearing consonants.
- You often need to turn the volume up on the television or radio. Also, your family or neighbors may complain that your TV is too loud.
- Because of difficulty following conversations, you find yourself withdrawing from social situations.
- It’s difficult to follow conversations on the telephone.
- If more than one person is speaking at a time, you find it difficult to follow what they’re saying.
- You say, “What?” a lot.
- Women and children in particular are harder for you to hear.
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month. If you notice any of the above symptoms, don’t let this month go by without seeing a hearing professional. At Dublin Hearing Center, we can help you find the best options for hearing treatment, before it starts to affect the quality of your life. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
