Why is a Hearing Test Important?

a hearing loss patient is receiving the results of his audiogram

Most people will experience some degree of hearing loss at some point in their lives. If you have not yet experienced this, you are bound to find that you do eventually, and when you do it’s good to know what to do about it. If you have experienced some hearing loss in the past, then you will know how important it is to do something about it as soon as possible. One of the first things you should do is to get a hearing test. In fact, this is important for those people who have no trouble with their hearing too, as a preventative measure. Let’s take a look at why getting a hearing test is quite so important.

Keep on top of your health

One of the main reasons you should think about getting regular hearing tests is that your hearing is an important part of your overall health. For one thing, you never know if you might have some damage to the ear, or an ear infection which needs cleaning up and this is the best way to find out about either of those possibilities and know what to do about them too. It is also true that having hearing loss can negatively impact your mental health, including with stress and depression and anxiety, so getting it checked regularly is also going to mean that you are looking after your mental health too. You will be keeping on top of your health much more effectively if you simply get a hearing test every now and then.

Check the progress of your hearing loss

If you already know that you have hearing loss, then one of the main reasons to keep on going to get it checked out is to find out about the progress of your hearing loss. You might find that your hearing is progressing much better than you would have thought. Or it could be that it is worsening over time, in which case you are able to keep on top of it and do something about it. In either case, it is going to be helpful to keep on checking the progress of your hearing loss with a professional who knows what they are doing. You might even find that it keeps your stress at bay just knowing what is going on with your hearing, even if it’s not the best news.

Prevent falls

It’s important to remember that you are not just having your hearing tested when you go for a hearing test. There are a range of supplementary tests that you will do as well, and one of the most important ones is to check your balance. Your ears are vital to the balance of the body, and your audiologist can check your ears to see whether there are any problems here as well. You might be surprised to discover that there are, in which case you can get the necessary treatment. That will mean that you are preventing experiencing falls in the future, and that you are going to therefore be much safer in general, so it’s absolutely something to think about.

Check wax buildup

Wax is a normal, natural thing, and a part of the ear’s self-cleaning process. However, in some people it does happen to build up too much, to the point where it is uncomfortable or it causes hearing loss or even discomfort in the ear. If you experience this, you are going to want to make sure you have it dealt with. Going to your audiologist for a hearing test will also mean that you can have your wax checked, to see whether it is building up too much or whether it’s okay. That way, you can ensure that you are keeping on top of what can potentially be a concerning problem.

Keep infections at bay

One of the common causes of short-term hearing loss is an ear infection. If you have ever had one, you will know that they can cause pain and trouble, and that you can lose all hearing in one or both ears. By going for regular check-ups with your audiologist, however, you can ensure that these infections are kept at bay, or that if you have one it is dealt with as soon as possible. That will mean you are less likely to have caused damage to the ear with the infection as well, so it’s good for a few reasons to do this.

Find out more about getting a hearing test and what it can do for you by calling Albuquerque Hearing and Balance call today at (505) 750-9569.