You will still see your eye doctor annually even if you already wear eyeglasses. Because your eyes change over time. Nothing in your body is static, not your eyes and not, as it happens, your ears either. That’s why, much like your eyes, it’s crucial to keep getting your ears assessed even after you’ve invested in a nice pair of hearing aids.
Unfortunately, many people miss those regular check-ups. Maybe a trip to their doctor is taking a back seat to enjoying life. Or maybe, work has been particularly difficult this year. Or maybe, you’ve just been so satisfied with your hearing aids that you haven’t had a reason to go back in. That’s a good thing, right?
Getting your hearing assessed
Let’s take Daphne as a fictional example. For some time now, Daphne has noted some warning signs associated with her hearing. Her TV volume is getting louder and louder. She has a hard time understanding conversations at after-work happy hours in loud restaurants. And because she likes to take care of herself, and she’s smart, she schedules a hearing test.
After having her hearing assessed, Daphne does everything she is supposed to: she gets fitted for new hearing aids and has them precisely calibrated, and then goes back to her normal routine.
Problem solved? Well, maybe not completely. It’s great that Daphne went in for a hearing screening and discovered her hearing problems early. But for most people with hearing loss, even a small one, follow-up care becomes almost more significant in the long run. Keeping up on routine appointments would be a wise plan for Daphne. However, one study revealed that only about 33% of seniors with hearing aids get regular check-ups so Daphne isn’t alone.
Why do you need hearing exams after you have hearing aids?
Alright, remember our glasses metaphor? Just because Daphne has hearing aids now doesn’t mean her hearing will become fixed 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 catch issues early.
And that’s not even the only reason why it might be a smart idea to keep regular appointments once you get your hearing aids. Here are a few of the most important reasons:
- Hearing aid calibration: While your overall hearing health might remain stable, slight changes in your hearing might produce the need for annual calibration of your hearing aid. Without this calibration, your hearing aids could slowly become less and less reliable.
- Hearing degeneration: Your hearing could continue to worsen even if you use hearing aids. Often, this deterioration of your hearing is quite slow and without regular examinations, you most likely won’t even recognize it. Hearing loss can frequently be slowed by correctly adjusting your hearing aids.
- Your fit may change: It’s possible that there will be a change in the way your hearing aids fit as your ears are always changing. Regular hearing tests can help guarantee that your hearing aids continue to fit the way they’re supposed to.
Hazards and roadblocks
The issue is, Daphne could, in her frustration, stop using her hearing aids entirely because they’re not working correctly. Using hearing aids helps slow hearing loss over time. Your hearing will deteriorate faster if you stop using your hearing aids and you probably won’t even detect it.
If you want your hearing aids to continue working efficiently, regular exams are going to be your best option in terms of achieving that. Annual hearing exams or screenings can help you ensure your hearing aids are functioning as they should and that your hearing stays protected.
