The Importance of Regular Hearing Tests for Adults
posted: Jan. 25, 2023.
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Your hearing is precious and hearing well contributes greatly to your quality of life. As you grow older, you may experience some degree of hearing impairment. In fact, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, over thirty percent of adults over 65 have some degree of hearing loss. Your ENT specialist can help.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends a hearing screening for adults every 10 years up to age 50, and every 3 years after age 50. There are also some signs and symptoms of hearing loss. If you are experiencing any of these issues, it’s time to schedule a hearing test:
- You hear muffled sounds or speech
- You need those around you to speak more loudly and slowly
- You are unable to pick out consonants in speech
- You are unable to pick out distinct words from noise in the background
A hearing test is a simple procedure that can determine if you are having hearing difficulties. A hearing test also helps determine how much hearing loss you are experiencing. If the hearing test reveals you do have hearing loss, your ENT specialist can recommend several types of hearing aids to compensate for hearing loss. You can consider:
(Completely in the canal) or CIC hearing aids, which fit inside your ear canal, offering the most discreet look; they don’t have a directional microphone or volume control.
(In the ear) or ITE hearing aids, which fit over your outer ear or the lower part of your ear; they are easier to see than a CIC, but they do have volume control and are easy to handle.
(Behind the ear) or BTE hearing aids, which hook over the top portion of your ear; they connect to an earpiece inside your ear canal and are the largest hearing aid, with excellent sound quality.
Cochlear implants are also an option; these devices are excellent for people with severe hearing loss because they compensate for areas of your ear that are no longer working properly.
You don’t have to miss out on conversations and the sounds of your life. To learn more about the importance of hearing tests for adults and when you should consider having a hearing test, talk with your ENT specialist today.