The Importance of Establishing a Baseline for Your Hearing
Our clients often assume that the only reason an adult should get a hearing evaluation is if they are already experiencing issues with their hearing and need to determine the cause and extent of the hearing loss. However, it can be extremely beneficial to have a hearing test when you aren’t experiencing any issues so that you have a record of your normal hearing baseline.
Baseline hearing assessments serve as protection in case of an illness, injury, or car accident and can provide your audiologist with important information on changes in your hearing over time.
Here are the top reasons why you should book a baseline hearing evaluation with your audiologist.
Catch Hearing Problems Early
It’s very common for minor hearing issues to be overlooked for quite a long time before they progress to a point where the problem is obvious. Having a baseline hearing evaluation on a regular basis can help to catch hearing loss early, allowing you to seek treatment and support.
Have a Point of Comparison
If you experience hearing loss in the future for any reason, Audiologists can reference your past hearing evaluations to get a better understanding of how your hearing has changed. This will help them to determine the most appropriate treatment options for you.
Evidence for Insurance Claims
If you experience hearing loss because of an accident, a baseline hearing evaluation will be necessary for your insurance claims. For example, if you are involved in a vehicle accident and the airbags deploy, hearing loss may occur. If you haven't established a baseline, you will have no proof of your hearing ability before the incident, and therefore, you will not be eligible to file a claim for hearing loss.
This scenario might sound far-fetched, but it’s more common than you think. When an airbag deploys it can generate a sound as loud as 178 decibels. This is significantly louder than a jet engine taking off and can potentially cause hearing damage if directly next to your ear.
Key points about airbag noise:
· Loudness:
Peak sound pressure levels from an airbag deployment can reach up to 178 decibels.
· Impact on hearing:
This level of noise is considered high enough to potentially cause hearing damage, especially if the airbag deploys close to your ear.
Everyone should have their hearing tested regularly, even if you don’t think you’re currently experiencing any hearing loss. If you are a young adult with normal hearing, it’s recommended that you book a baseline hearing evaluation every 5 years. Middle-aged adults should have a hearing assessment more frequently; approximately every 2 years.
Contact Discover Hearing today to book your hearing test with our registered audiologist.
