If you’re like most, you’ve likely been putting off your hearing test. You may even have had others recommend that you get one but you keep finding reasons not to go.
If that’s the case, we’re going to try to persuade you to start the new year by finally getting that hearing test. As you’ll see, having your hearing tested is quick and easy, and if you do have hearing loss, correcting 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 arrange for a hearing test right away.
Our top 10 reasons to get a hearing test are:
1. The hearing test is painless and takes less than an hour – it’s easy to book an appointment, and having your hearing tested requires less time than it takes to go shopping for groceries. Instead of having it constantly 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 inform your family members and friends that they really ARE mumbling.
3. You might, in fact, have hearing loss and not realize it – hearing loss develops slowly, so the person afflicted is frequently not the first to notice. That implies there’s a good chance your loved ones were correct when they recommended that you get a hearing test in the first place.
4. Hearing loss becomes worse over time and is best treated early – the hearing you lose cannot be fully restored, but hearing aids can help reverse the process and stimulate the portions of the brain involved with speech and sound processing.
5. Hearing loss may be indicative of other health issues – hearing loss is usually caused by exposure to loud noise or by the normal aging process. But on occasion, hearing loss is a symptom of a more serious underlying cardiovascular or neurological condition. Either way, your hearing health is heavily connected to your overall well-being.
6. You can preserve and enhance your mind and memory – recent studies by Johns Hopkins University have linked hearing loss to cognitive decline, memory problems, and even dementia. But a recent study has also demonstrated that enhancing sound stimulation to the brain may help to keep your mind sharp.
7. You can enhance your mood – researchers have discovered a strong link between hearing loss and depression, but research also shows that individuals with hearing loss that use hearing aids have less depressive symptoms and heightened social engagement.
8. You’ll be more outgoing and social – If you do have hearing loss and can be helped by hearing aids, you might observe an alteration in your social habits. Individuals with better hearing have been found to be more outgoing and less reserved in groups, which promotes both mood and physical health.
9. You’ll have better conversations – hearing loss typically impacts speech comprehension the most, disrupting conversations. If you’re fed up with having to say “what” all the time, it might be time for a hearing test.
10. You can earn more money – a study by the Better Hearing Institute found that people with hearing loss, on average, earn $12,000 less per year compared to those with normal hearing, based on the degree of hearing loss. However, the study also found that the use of hearing aids offset these income effects by 50 percent.
As the research continues to pour in, it will only confirm how fundamental hearing health is to our total quality of life. So if you are concerned about your health, your relationships, and your overall well-being, now is the time to take action.
So how about it? For the sake of your health and happiness and for those around you, schedule your hearing test today!