Your ears are responsible for hearing and a sense of balance, but they also play an important role in how you communicate with people around you. It’s important to visit a doctor and examine your ears since they are an important factor in your information processing and communication. When your hearing isn’t functioning well, you may suffer from various symptoms – cognitive decline, hearing loss, (not being able to enjoy music) delayed speech, or balance issues.
It’s important to identify any issues and discover the signs of hearing loss as early as possible, this is important to help prevent rapid deterioration. Then, your hearing healthcare provider will have enough time to discover the causes and advise you on how to keep your senses sharp as you age. Read on for Why is it Important to Have Your Ears Examined?
What Causes Hearing Problems or Loss?
Problems with your hearing, including hearing loss, can be caused by various health conditions (for example diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease). These underlying conditions often go untreated or undiagnosed. Still, there are many other reasons why you may experience such problems or earaches. See the list below:
- Inflammation
- Middle ear infections
- Damage to the eardrum
- Inflammation of the outer ear
- Damage to hearing nerve
- Exposure to loud noise
- Head trauma
- Ear trauma
- A build-up of earwax
- Swimmer’s ear
- A disease called otosclerosis (it affects the tiny bones in your ear)
- Cholesteatoma, a condition that can develop if you have an ongoing ear infection
- Allergies
If you ever have trouble hearing or you experience earache, make sure you contact your doctor as soon as possible. In case you have an issue, it’s best to discover its cause in time. With the help of your doctor, you will be able to slow the process down and save your hearing. It’s perfectly normal to be afraid and feel overwhelmed when you have ear problems, but don’t worry. You are definitely not alone and there are many ways you can help yourself – from visiting a hearing aid shop to eating more healthily and taking your vitamins. The important thing is to be proactive and care about your health. Going in for an ear exam regularly is a part of the programme.
Do You Need a Hearing Test?
Most people haven’t had a test since they were in school. If you are one of them, experts suggest taking a test as a part of your ear exam. It’s recommended to do it at least once as an adult. You can go to your ear doctor or a specialist called an audiologist.
There are many kinds of tests out there and your doctor will probably perform a few. These tests are painless and won’t cause you any discomfort. In fact, in most cases, you will only be responding to a series of words, sounds, and tones.
When you get your results, a specialist may recommend further tests or a follow-up evaluation. If the test shows that you have hearing loss or any other problems, hearing aids and medication will be recommended. Surgery is also a possibility but it doesn’t really happen often.
There are 2 Types of Testing Your Doctor May Recommend
Baseline Testing
Studies have shown that a good time to do baseline testing is after the age of 21. A specialist can do it during your annual exam and the test will show your hearing level at this point. This is the reason why it’s important to get a hearing test regularly. As you get older, your doctor can see exactly how much your hearing has changed and give you the best treatment.
If your ears are fine, you should still get tested at least every 10 years. If you are older than 50, it’s recommended to get a test every 3 years.
Hearing Screening
This test is specific because you either pass or fail. It’s quick and it will show your doctor right away if you need any more screenings or tests. If you pass it, it means you don’t have hearing loss and you don’t need to worry. However, if you fail you will need to continue with your examinations and get a detailed evaluation. A specialist will need more information to know how severe your hearing loss is and how to treat it.
Many people take precautions and check their overall health every year. They go to the dentist every six months or to their gynaecologist a few times a year. There is no reason why you shouldn’t do the same when it comes to your ears. Experts recommend you to see a hearing healthcare professional at least once a year. Prevention is the key and it can save you an enormous amount of hassle later on. So, be responsible and make an appointment for your ear examination today, ensure that you’re aware of your ear health.
Got something to say on the subject of ear health? Join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram! Get your frequencies on point with our motivational matter to help stimulate you to KEEP your Fit ON too!