If you’re similar to most, you’ve likely been putting off your hearing test. You might even have had others propose 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 discover, getting a hearing test is quick and easy, and if you do have hearing loss, addressing it does wonders for your all-around health and happiness—not to mention it gets everyone off your back.
So here’s our case for why you should book a hearing test as soon as possible.
Our top 10 reasons to get a hearing test are:
1. The hearing test is pain-free and takes less than an hour – it’s simple to arrange an appointment, and having 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 certifies that your hearing is normal, you can tell your family members and friends that they really ARE mumbling.
3. You might, in fact, have hearing loss and not realize it – hearing loss builds up gradually, so the person affected is in most cases not the first to notice. That means there’s a good chance your loved ones were correct when they suggested that you get a hearing test in the first place.
4. Hearing loss gets worse over time and is best treated promptly – the hearing you lose cannot be fully recovered, but hearing aids can help reverse the process and stimulate the parts of the brain involved in sound and speech processing.
5. Hearing loss may be an indicator of other health issues – hearing loss is normally caused by exposure to loud noise or by the normal aging process. But occasionally, hearing loss is a manifestation 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 issues, and even dementia. But a recent study has also established that increasing sound stimulation to the brain may help to keep your mind strong.
7. You can boost your mood – researchers have found a strong association between hearing loss and depression, but research also demonstrates that people with hearing loss that use hearing aids have less depressive symptoms and greater social engagement.
8. You’ll be more social and outgoing – If you do have hearing loss and can be helped by hearing aids, you might detect a difference in your social behavior. Those with healthier hearing have been found to be more outgoing and less reserved in groups, which promotes both mood and physical health.
9. You’ll have much 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 the time, it might be time for a hearing test.
10. You can make more money – a study by the Better Hearing Institute discovered that those with hearing loss, on average, earn $12,000 less per year when compared with those with normal hearing, contingent 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 validate how vital hearing health is to our overall quality of life. So if you are concerned about your health, your relationships, and your overall 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!
