The Connection Between Age and Hearing Test Necessity

As you get older, especially if you have passed the age of 65, you might have received invitations from your audiologist to have your hearing tested or your doctor might have recommended it. It’s a commonly held truth that, as individuals get older, they should pay more attention to their hearing health but why is that? Here are some of the reasons.

What is Age-Related Hearing Loss

While there are several different risk factors that can affect hearing health, it is true that individuals are more likely to experience hearing loss as they get older. This type of hearing loss, called presbycusis, often happens due to the fact that the hair cells in your ears, those responsible for picking up sound signals, start to deteriorate easier as you get older. Often, it’s not easy to spot the signs of this decline, so a hearing test is necessary to pick them up.

Measuring Gradual Changes in Hearing Health

A hearing test is a valuable tool for assessing gradual changes in hearing health over time. By administering various sound frequencies at different volumes, audiologists can detect subtle shifts in hearing sensitivity. These tests measure how well you can hear sounds ranging from low to high frequencies, identifying any decline in hearing ability. Over multiple tests conducted at regular intervals, audiologists can track changes and adjust treatment or intervention plans accordingly. Regular hearing tests provide crucial insight into your hearing health, enabling proactive management of any emerging issues to maintain optimal hearing function.

Your Cognitive Health May Depend on It

Your hearing health isn’t likely to be the only thing that you’re focusing on more as you get older. Your emotional and cognitive health can be more prone to change for a variety of reasons, as well. One risk factor in declining cognitive health is undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss. Similarly, it is a risk factor for mental health issues such as depression, isolation and anxiety. By taking steps to care for your hearing health now, you are taking steps to care more for your health in general as you get older, as well.

They Can Address More Than Hearing Loss

An appointment with your audiologist is a good reason to keep up with your hearing health, but there are other issues that can affect your ear that they can help with, as well. For instance, tinnitus is very closely linked to hearing loss, and your audiologist can help you treat it with hearing aids with a tinnitus masking feature. Similarly, if you are experiencing any balance health issues, such as vertigo, then you can talk to your audiologist about those, and they may be able to recommend exercises or treatments that can reduce your symptoms.

Your hearing health are worth taking seriously, and your audiologist wants to make sure you get the right treatment for your hearing loss. If you are getting older, you should schedule routine hearing tests to measure your hearing loss, and to ensure a better quality of life.