Why It’s Important to Schedule a Hearing Test this Fall

Fall is a time of transition and renewal – which makes it an important time to check in on your health, too. We celebrate pumpkin spice lattes, warm apple cider and cozy sweaters but let’s not lose track of our hearing – an essential sense that allows us to appreciate the rustling leaves or chatter of family gatherings. So, to ensure we can celebrate everything autumn has to offer, let’s add hearing tests onto your fall wellness checklist this year a top priority and examine why that testing should become part of it all.

Seasonal Change and Our Ears

Now you may be asking, “How does fall relate to your hearing health?” Cool breezes and fluctuating temperatures can impact our ear pressure, leading to discomfort or even slight hearing changes – something many are unaware of until their hearing health deteriorates further during the changing seasons.

Gearing Up for the Holidays

The holiday season is quickly approaching. Just yesterday we were sunbathing under summer’s scorching rays – now, as we count down to joyful family gatherings and laughter-filled festivities, it becomes all the more essential that our ears remain healthy. Imagine sitting around a cozy fire while telling stories or sharing memories; wouldn’t it be wonderful if every giggle or whisper was heard without strain? Absolutely!

Experiencing the Sounds of Autumn

As the leaves rustle underfoot and the crisp autumn breeze carries the scent of earth and foliage, fall presents a symphony of unique sounds. The gentle crunch of leaves, the whistling of the wind and the crackling of bonfires all contribute to the experience of the season. However, for those with hearing loss, these distinctive sounds may fade into the background, diminishing the fullness of the fall experience.

This is where hearing aids play a crucial role in your fall experience. By amplifying and clarifying these subtle yet significant sounds, hearing aids reintroduce these familiar surroundings again. Whether it’s the laughter of children at a pumpkin patch or the wind coming through the trees, hearing aids enable a deeper connection to the season, improving the overall enjoyment and enriching the sensory experience of fall.

Scheduling Your Hearing Tests

Regular hearing tests aren’t just another appointment – they are an invaluable asset in early detection of hearing issues. Regardless of the outcome, this allows you to establish a baseline for where your hearing health currently is. If you do not have a hearing loss present, you’ve now got a baseline to use in the future should you begin to experience symptoms, which is helpful in determining cause behind the condition. In the event you do have hearing loss, this will be a good opportunity to talk with your audiologist about what the best treatments are and how you can remedy the condition – typically with the help of hearing aids.

What to Expect During a Hearing Test

When you go for a hearing test, you can expect a comprehensive assessment of your auditory abilities. Here’s what you can typically anticipate during a hearing test:

• Pure Tone Audiometry: You’ll wear headphones and listen for faint tones at different frequencies to determine your hearing thresholds.
• Speech Audiometry: This assesses your ability to hear and understand spoken words at varying volumes.
• Bone Conduction Testing: This test evaluates inner ear function by bypassing the outer and middle ear.
• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs): A probe is placed in your ear to measure the sounds produced by the inner ear in response to a stimulus.

During the test, the audiologist will guide you through each step, ensuring you’re comfortable and informed throughout the process. Remember, a hearing test is a vital first step towards maintaining or improving your auditory health.

Understanding Hearing Aid Options

Hearing aids come in a diverse range of styles, each designed to cater to different preferences and degrees of hearing loss. Some common styles include:

• • Behind the ear (BTE)
  • In the ear (ITE)

In the Canal (ITC)

• Completely in canal (CIC)

Beyond style, modern hearing aids offer an array of customizable features. These can include noise reduction, directional microphones, telecoil technology and wireless connectivity to devices like smartphones or televisions. Additionally, many hearing aids now have rechargeable batteries for convenience. These options ensure that individuals can select a solution that not only suits their aesthetic preferences but also addresses their specific hearing needs.

Schedule Your Hearing Test

Fall is the perfect time to get your hearing health back on track. Whether you want to learn more about our testing process or you’re ready to upgrade your hearing aids, our knowledgeable staff is ready to start your journey! If you’re ready, contact our team at Physicians Hearing Center by calling (334) 441-4090.