What is a Hearing Test & Why Does it Matter?
At Healthy Hearing & Balance Care, we understand the importance of your hearing health, and that's why we offer comprehensive hearing tests to assess your auditory well-being. In this guide, we'll walk you through what hearing tests are, what you should expect during the process, and why these tests are vital for maintaining and enhancing your hearing. We'll also discuss why it's recommended to repeat hearing tests every 12 months, even if you've had a test before with results within the normal range.
What Are Hearing Tests?
Hearing tests, also known as audiometric evaluations or hearing assessments are a series of non-invasive tests designed to measure your ability to detect and interpret sounds by investigating the status of your ear drum, middle ear and inner ear. These tests help identify any hearing issues and provide a clear picture of your ear and hearing health.
Why Are Hearing Tests Important?
Regular hearing tests are important for several reasons:
Early Detection: Hearing loss often occurs gradually, and its progression can be subtle. Sometimes it affects only one ear making it even more subtle and difficult to perceive. Regular hearing tests can detect issues at an early stage, making treatment and management more effective. A mild loss of hearing can also be an early indication of other health issues such as heart disease, thyroid dysfunction and diabetes.
Prevent Further Damage: Identifying hearing problems early can help prevent further damage. Addressing hearing loss promptly can in some cases slow its progression and potentially protect your overall hearing health.
Quality of Life: Untreated hearing loss can impact your quality of life. It may lead to social isolation, communication difficulties, and even cognitive decline. With the right intervention, you can enjoy a better quality of life and maintain your independence.
Personalised Solutions: Hearing tests provide valuable insights that allow our audiologists to recommend further medical investigations whenever required. We can also provide personalised solutions if a hearing issue is detected, and no medical treatment is available. Hearing solutions may include auditory and communication training, conventional hearing aids, mobile phone apps, assistive listening devices, implanted hearing devices such as cochlear implants or other interventions tailored to your individual needs.
Why Repeat Hearing Tests Every Twelve Months?
Hearing health, like overall health, can change over time. Even if you've had a previous hearing test with favourable results, it's highly recommended to return to your audiologist for repeat tests every twelve months. Here's why:
1. Gradual Changes: Hearing loss often progresses gradually, and such changes may go unnoticed for a long time. Even if your hearing was in good shape last year, subtle changes may have occurred. Regular hearing tests can detect these changes early, allowing for timely intervention.
2. Lifestyle Factors: Your hearing health can be influenced by lifestyle factors, such as exposure to loud noises, metabolic changes, exposure to ototoxic chemicals and medicines. Monitoring your hearing regularly can help identify factors influencing your overall health.
3. Preventative Care: Just as you visit your doctor for regular check-ups, periodic hearing tests provide preventative care for your auditory well-being. Early detection and intervention can prevent further damage and improve your overall quality of life.
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