The American Speech Language Hearing Association marks the month of May to celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month. This month is geared towards raising awareness for people with hearing and communication disorders while highlighting healthcare providers and resources helping this community. We can think of no more practical way to contribute than by encouraging our readers to schedule a free hearing test through Beltone Tristate. This post gives you more information about the test and provides ideas for what you should be ready to discuss.
What should you expect during your hearing test?
Our hearing test is free of charge for easier accessibility, but it is helpful to have your health insurance information on hand. It is a 15-minute evaluation to determine your unique hearing needs to provide the best care possible.
Here are the steps we will walk through.
- Personalized assessment
- Video exam
- Comprehensive hearing test
- Review results
During the final step, we will discuss solutions for your hearing loss and next steps to improve your hearing. You can dive deeper into each part of the hearing test in this post.
What should you discuss during the hearing test?
It is important to explain the symptoms you have been experiencing and provide information about your lifestyle. It can be useful to have a partner or family member present to add more clarity to how hearing loss impacts your life. As we better understand your experience, we can identify the right treatment options. If hearing aids are the direction, understanding your activities and habits will help us recommend the most useful devices and discover the best fit. We want you to enjoy your life through better hearing and not worry about losing a device in the process.
Are there different types of hearing loss?
Hearing loss is caused by a variety of factors which result in different forms of loss. There are four main types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, mixed, and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders. These conditions range in severity and issues related to the inner ear or outer ear blockage. Our hearing test is designed to diagnose your condition, explore treatment options, and support your process to improve hearing. If you would like to learn more about hearing loss, check out this post.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
People experience a number of signs when losing their hearing, but some of the most common signs are:
- Difficulties following conversations in public
- Struggling to hear conversations over the phone
- Needing to turn up the TV, radio, or computer more than you used to
- Asking people to repeat what they say often
- Ringing, buzzing, or hissing noises in one or both ears regularly
- Thinking people are mumbling or whispering often when others say they aren’t
You can use this quick self-assessment to help determine if you’re suffering from hearing loss.
What else can you do to prevent hearing loss?
Hearing loss can often be associated with other health issues ranging from heart disease to mental health conditions. Obviously, if your work or activities expose you to loud noises regularly, you should use ear protection in those circumstances to decrease negative side effects. However, you may be surprised to know that regular exercise, healthier eating, and better stress management can all help maintain your hearing. Any investment you make in yourself physically, emotionally, or mentally contributes to your overall health which supports your hearing.
When should you schedule a hearing test?
Even when it isn’t Better Hearing and Speech month, we recommend all adults over 50 should have a hearing exam once per year. Hearing loss grows more likely as you age and catching the symptoms earlier can help preserve your hearing health. If you ignore the signs and wait, you could exacerbate the issue leading to more severe hearing loss which is irreversible. Any time you experience ear discomfort and multiple symptoms above, you should schedule a hearing test regardless of your age.
If you are struggling with hearing loss, schedule a free hearing test at Beltone Tristate today!