Good Hearing Helps with Aging

We can’t escape the aches and pains that can come from aging but maintaining good hearing health can help us tackle the challenges and opportunities of growing older better. Here are some examples:

Going to the doctor. Communicating well with your doctor as you grow older is very important. You and your doctor will converse about your health issue, care solutions and potential lifestyle changes to alleviate. Listening becomes very important. When unaddressed hearing loss gets in the way of communicating, it can lead to a frustrating office visit.

Engaging with family. Visiting more frequently with family especially grandchildren in retirement typically rises to the top of the “to do” list. Hearing health issue most often start with higher sound frequency which means that it can be more difficult to hear younger grandchildren and who wants to miss out hearing the wonder they see in the world around them

Staying safe. It is easy to forget how much emergency awareness is centered on our hearing. From fire alarms to reversing vehicles, many alerts systems start with the ears.

Working. Many of us will work in our jobs longer than the generation before us, which makes maintaining good hearing health essential. Whether your job is in manufacturing, healthcare, business or education, all careers require an element of communication to succeed and that includes being able to hear our employers and coworkers.

Staying active. Studies have found that people with untreated hearing loss withdraw from their families, friends and communities. Whether from embarrassment or frustration, poor hearing health restricts our activities and keeps us from trying new experiences.

Exercising the brain. It may sound funny that hearing is a form of exercise for the brain, but the ears and the brain are deeply connected. Good hearing keeps the brain active as it works to interpret sounds.

Maintaining good hearing health as we age starts with establishing a baseline. Scheduling a hearing test is a great way to get started.