With the New Year underway, many of us will be on a health kick by eating more healthily and being more active. Getting your five a day and joining a yoga class are great ways of taking care of yourself, but what about having regular hearing checks for your hearing health?
Considering how vital hearing is to our lives, it’s often neglected so why is that? In most cases hearing loss is age related (known as Presbycusis) so it’s a slow decline rather than a sudden loss. This means it’s not something you really notice happening and your brain just adapts to it. On average it takes between 7 and 10 years for someone to recognise they have a hearing loss and to take some action but by this stage it could already have a huge impact on the quality of not just their life but friends, colleagues and family too.
That’s why regular hearing checks are so important, as these three key points highlight:
1. Early detection of hearing loss
Regular hearing checks not only give you peace of mind, they are also crucial in detecting the early signs of hearing loss. By identifying issues early on, we can treat it more effectively so you can live life to the full again.
2. A better quality of life for you…and your loved ones
Struggling to hear is not just about missing out on what’s being said. An untreated hearing loss can have a significant impact on your life and those around you. It can lead to depression, loss of independence and social isolation. Regular hearing checks are key to getting the help you need sooner rather than later. In fact a study of hearing aid users showed that 71% thought they should have got hearing aids sooner because they had such a positive impact on their mental health and social life.
3. Improved cognitive health
Research has shown there are links between untreated hearing loss and dementia. This increased risk is due to a number of factors including:
> social isolation and depression caused by poor hearing
> your brain working harder to process sounds at the expense of other cognitive processes, like memory
Studies have shown that even with a mild hearing loss you are twice as likely to develop dementia compared to someone with normal hearing. If you have a severe hearing loss then the risk increases to five times. Making sure you have your hearing checked regularly means you get the help you need to manage your hearing loss.
At Viney Hearing Care we provide comprehensive assessments that check the health of your ear and hearing ability. We can advise on ways to hear better and if hearing aids would help you then we’ll discuss the right options for your hearing loss, lifestyle and budget.
We’ve a wide range of hearing aids from all the leading manufacturers, like Oticon, Starkey and Widex, so finding your perfect fit is no problem.
All hearing aids are supplied on a free trial so there’s nothing to lose, only better hearing to gain!
So book your free check today and let us get you hearing healthy! Appointments are available in our branches and we also offer free home visits.
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This post was written by Michelle Viney
