When you think of hearing aids, who do you think of wearing them? In the past, the use of hearing aids seems to have been assigned to individuals who were much older.
However, have you noticed that the age of people wearing hearing aids is lower than it used to be?
This is a delightful trend, because it means that the stigmas associated with hearing aids are disappearing. It also means that more and more young people are becoming aware of the importance of better hearing.
Here at Fox Valley ENT Associates we are excited that so many young people are taking charge of their hearing health!
In addition to cheering on those who are dedicated to improving their hearing health, regardless of age, we want to take a little time to go through the benefits of regular hearing checks and ways to help overcome hearing challenges.
Reaping the Benefits of Regular Hearing Assessments
Regular hearing assessments are a critical element of better hearing. They are used to assess the minute changes to your hearing that you may not be able to recognize, allowing you to make the necessary lifestyle changes, use hearing protection, or identify when you need the help of hearing aids.
If it has been a while since you had a hearing test, like if your last one was back in grammar school or junior high, it’s never too soon to have your hearing tested again. Even if your test shows that your hearing is normal, it establishes a baseline against which future changes to your hearing can be measured
With annual or biannual (every two years) hearing assessments, your doctor of audiology can track the changes to your hearing and provide proactive solutions to limit hearing damage.
Regular hearing tests also help determine what kind of hearing aid is the best fit for you and your ears, as well as the one with adequate processing strength and features to address your unique hearing challenges.
Even after you have been fitted with hearing aids, hearing assessments help monitor progress and allow your hearing care professional to make programming adjustments or recommend hearing aid upgrades.
You might say that regular hearing assessments are the cornerstone of allowing you to continue to enjoy or regain an active and independent lifestyle.
No matter your age, your hearing is a critical necessity to everyday life. More and more young people are getting fitted with the care they need and the devices that work best for their unique hearing challenges—why not you, too?
Overcoming Hearing Loss Challenges
Think of how important hearing is to the process of communication at work, among friends, or when you’re with family. Imagine listening to your favorite music with full clarity and detail, just like you used to.
Better hearing ensures that you can continue to be part of the conversation (or the dance party!), be better at your job, and continue to play an active role in the lives of those around you.
Individuals who struggle with hearing loss often face social isolation as well. The awkwardness and embarrassment of failing to keep up with conversations in environments with background noise, like family gatherings, dining out, or a get-together with friends can cause those with hearing challenges to disconnect from others.
Thankfully, hearing aids and regular hearing assessments can help those with hearing loss, young and old, rejoin the conversation. In general, better hearing and hearing aids have a positive impact on your mental health as well as improve your hearing.
The best way to prevent hearing challenges from interrupting your quality of life is through professional hearing care. Professional hearing care by an audiologist or doctor of audiology typically includes regular hearing assessments, ear cleaning, hearing protection, hearing aid wellness assessments, and various other forms of assistive technology.
Back in the day, hearing aids were seen as unsightly: large, awkward devices in unflattering colors, conspicuous and obvious. In contrast, today’s hearing aids are often so tiny that unless people know you’re wearing one, they aren’t apt to ever notice them.
Some hearing aids even come with smartphone capabilities, meaning you can adjust levels from the comfort of your phone!
Thanks to the uptick in new and improved technology in one of the most rapidly advancing sectors of technology, hearing aids are no longer an awkward and embarrassing thing of the past. Rather, hearing aids are, dare I say it, cool.
Since there is no longer any shame associated with hearing aids, more and more young people are getting regular hearing assessments and being fitted for hearing aids when necessary.
Better Hearing for All Ages
If you want to hear your best for as long as possible, when should you start? Right now!
Whether you’re old or young, regular testing, proper hearing aid fitting and programming, and ongoing care from our audiologists at Fox Valley ENT Associates can ensure that your quality of life and lifestyle continue uninterrupted for as long as possible.
Click here to schedule a comprehensive hearing assessment online or call us at your local Northern Illinois clinic: Algonquin: (847) 854-0005,
Elgin: (847) 741-8500,
St. Charles: (630) 377-5000,
Huntley: (847) 741-8500.
