You would be surprised to hear how many people have never had their hearing tested. Even if you don’t think you’re having trouble hearing, it’s recommended that you should at least have a baseline hearing test from a Doctor of Audiology by the time you turn 50 years old.
A baseline hearing test is vital in determining how well you hear at different pitches and frequencies. Most studies suggest the sooner your hearing loss is detected and treated, the easier it will be for you to adapt to hearing the various sounds of life. On the other hand, undetected or undiagnosed hearing loss will make it more difficult for you to learn to hear again.
A baseline hearing test is designed to find any abnormalities as early as possible to simplify and expedite treatment. These tests can catch problems early and help you avoid bigger problems later down the road.
Adults over the age of 50 should have their hearing checked annually. Your first hearing exam becomes your baseline, which allows your Audiologist to compare future tests to it in order to determine how much your hearing has changed.
The impact of hearing loss isn’t only measured in decibels. Since hearing loss is an individual experience, how the person copes with the issue is based on several factors:
- The progressive nature of the hearing loss
- Whether there is an early or late onset
- Communication demands
- Severity of the loss
Regardless of which factors are present, hearing loss has been repeatedly linked to feelings of social isolation, anxiety, depression, frustration, fatigue, and even dementia.
It is vital to establish a standard with the baseline hearing test. This data can be used in the future to determine the propensity of your hearing loss and used by your Audiologist to arrive at the most effective solution for your individual needs. To schedule your baseline hearing test with one of our Doctors of Audiology, contact 907-789-6780.