For many, the loss of our hearing is a devastating idea. We remember to visit our dentist or optometrist annually and consider our health in those areas important parts of our well-being, yet we often do not extend that same level of care and sense of priority to our ears. In fact, most of us wait until we have a significant problem before we visit the audiologist. In many cases, this is far past the optimum point for rehabilitation.

Many of us ignore our hearing health for years, and suffer unnecessarily because of the fear of needing a hearing aid.

Much like regular check-ups and screenings for our other senses, baseline hearing tests are simply a good idea. There is no need to hide from knowledge regarding your hearing health — knowledge is power. Often, the fear of having a problem prevents the acquisition of knowledge which can lead to
unexpected outcomes.

Change in hearing is inevitable yet can be very different for each individual. Though there are certainly genetic predispositions for early deterioration, several other factors put adults at risk for hearing loss, including:

Prolonged hearing loss also elevates risk for a variety of conditions including cognitive decline, memory failure, depression, social isolation, and other effects that arise from a reduced ability to communicate. When put into context, it’s easy to understand why it’s recommended that people of all ages get their hearing tested regularly and stay just as vigilant with their hearing health, as their dental and visual health.

The Ontario Association of Professional Audiology Clinics (OAPAC) provides a variety of resources for patients to get assistance in maintaining and supporting their hearing health. Why OAPAC? OAPAC members own their clinics. As Audiologist owned-and-operated clinics, services are fully regulated which means you are fully protected.