You will still see your eye doctor yearly even if you already wear eyeglasses. Because, over time, your eyes change. Like the rest of your body, your eyes aren’t static and neither are your ears. That’s why, even after you’ve purchased hearing aids, it’s essential to consistently get your ears checked just like you would with your eyes.
Many individuals, regrettably, neglect those annual appointments. Maybe they’ve been too busy enjoying their lives to get back in to see the doctor. Or, it could be that your job has been difficult lately. Or maybe you’ve simply decided not to go back in because you’re so pleased with your hearing aids. It seems like that would be good, right?
Getting your hearing examined
Let’s take Daphne as an imaginary example. For some time now, Daphne has detected some symptoms connected to her hearing. She keeps increasing the volume on her TV. When she goes out after work to a loud restaurant, she has difficulty following conversations. And so, she goes in to have her hearing tested (because she’s smart and she takes care of herself).
Daphne makes certain to follow all of the instructions to manage her hearing impairment: she gets fitted for new hearing aids and has them precisely calibrated, and then goes back to her regular routine.
Problem solved? Well, maybe not completely. Going in for a screening allowed her to recognize her hearing loss early and that’s excellent. But for most individuals with hearing impairment, even a minor one, follow-up care becomes even more important in the long run. Daphne would be doing herself a favor by going to regular appointments. But Daphne isn’t alone in neglected check-ups, based on one study, only 33% of senior citizens with hearing aids also maintained regular hearing services.
If you already use hearing aids, why do you need regular hearing exams?
Remember when we used the glasses metaphor earlier? Just because Daphne uses hearing aids now doesn’t mean her hearing will become static and stop changing. It’s important to adjust the hearing aids to counter those changes. Routine testing helps keep track of any changes in hearing and detect problems early.
And that’s not even the only reason why it may be a smart idea to keep routine appointments after you get your hearing aids. Some of the most common reasons to make sure you make it to your next appointment include:
- Hearing degeneration: Your hearing may continue to worsen even if you use hearing aids. Frequently, this deterioration of your hearing is very gradual and without regular screenings, you probably won’t even notice it. Correct adjustments to your hearing aids can often slow hearing declines.
- Your fit may change: It’s possible that there will be a change in how your hearing aids fit as your ears are always changing. Making certain your hearing aids continue to fit properly is a big part of your regular exam.
- Hearing aid calibration: Your hearing changes in small ways, and while your overall hearing may remain stable, these slight changes may require you to get regular hearing assessments. Without this calibration, your hearing aids could slowly become less and less reliable.
Dangers and roadblocks
The issue is, Daphne may, in her frustration, quit using her hearing aids entirely because they’re not functioning correctly. Over time, hearing loss can be slowed by wearing hearing aids. Your hearing will decline faster if you quit wearing your hearing aids and you probably won’t even notice it.
When it comes to achieving efficient performance of your hearing aids, and optimal hearing, routine hearing exams are essential. Safeguard your hearing and make sure your hearing aids are properly working by getting routine screenings.
