Hearing and balance screenings are an important part of maintaining your quality of life. As we say here at Think Audiology, we want individuals to Hear More and Fall Less. That is best accomplished through routine screenings.
Many diseases and disorders have Hearing is so vital to learning and communication that hearing screenings are mandated at birth for all newborns and for children as they enter school. The military and many employers require a hearing screening prior to beginning service. Research is beginning to make significant ties between untreated hearing loss and social isolation, depression, cognition and dementia.
Balance is also extremely important to maintaining independence and overall health. Per the Centers for Disease Control, among older Americans, falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injury. This represents 29 million falls, three million emergency department (ED) visits, 800,000 hospitalizations, and 28,000 deaths.
Just as we see our dentist for routine cleanings and our optometrist for routine eye exams, we should see an audiologist for routine hearing and balance screenings. These screenings can establish baseline hearing and balance status and can be invaluable in early detection of hearing and balance issues.