You will still see your eye doctor every year even if you already use eyeglasses. Because your eyes change as time passes. Nothing in your body is static, not your eyes and not, it turns out, your ears either. That’s why, much like your eyes, it’s crucial to keep having your ears assessed even after you’ve invested in a nice pair of hearing aids.
Regrettably, many people skip those regular check-ups. Perhaps they’ve been too occupied enjoying their lives to get back in to see the doctor. Or perhaps, work has been especially difficult this year. Or maybe you’ve simply decided not to go back in because you’re so satisfied with your hearing aids. That’s a good thing, right?
Scheduling a hearing test
Let’s use Daphne as our fictional stand-in. Daphne has been noticing some red flags related to her hearing for some time now. She keeps increasing the volume on her TV. She has difficulty following conversations at after-work happy hours in noisy restaurants. And because she enjoys taking care of herself, and she’s intelligent, she schedules a hearing test.
Daphne makes certain to follow all of the instructions to manage her hearing impairment: she purchases hearing aids, which are then precisely fitted and calibrated, and then she goes on with her life.
Problem solved? Well, yes and no. Going in for a screening allowed her to recognize her hearing loss early and that’s excellent. But for most people with hearing impairment, even a small one, follow-up care becomes even more important in the long run. Maintaining routine appointments would be a smart idea for Daphne. However, one study found that only about 33% of seniors with hearing aids get regular check-ups so Daphne isn’t alone.
Why do you need check-ups after you have hearing aids?
Alright, remember our glasses metaphor? Daphne’s hearing won’t become static and stop changing just because she uses hearing aids. Her hearing aids will need to be adjusted to account for those changes. Periodic testing helps monitor any changes in hearing and catch issues early.
And that isn’t even the only reason why it might be a smart idea to keep regular appointments after you have your hearing aids. Here are some of the most important reasons:
- Hearing degeneration: Your hearing may continue to deteriorate even if you have hearing aids. Frequently, this deterioration of your hearing is very gradual and without regular examinations, you probably won’t even detect it. Proper alterations to your hearing aids can often slow hearing loss.
- Hearing aid calibration: While your general hearing health might remain stable, small changes in your hearing might produce the need for annual calibration of your hearing aid. Without this calibration, your hearing aids may slowly become less and less reliable.
- 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. Making certain your hearing aids continue to fit properly is a significant part of your regular check-ups.
Dangers and hurdles
The main concern here is that eventually, the hearing aids Daphne is using will quit working the way they’re supposed to, so she’ll get frustrated with them and stop using them altogether. Using hearing aids helps slow down hearing loss over time. Your hearing will decline faster if you quit wearing your hearing aids and you probably won’t even notice it.
When it comes to achieving efficient performance of your hearing aids, and optimal hearing, regular hearing assessments are essential. Safeguard your hearing and make sure your hearing aids are properly working by having routine screenings.