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Local expert on hearing aids urges for regular testing

Sylvan Lake hearing aid practitioner Sherry Gajardo is says regular hearing tests are very important
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Sylvan Lake hearing aid practitioner Sherry Gajardo is reminding the public of the importance of regular hearing tests.

Many people leave off getting hearing tests, and subsequently hearing aids, until it is too late.

“I find that people often wait 15 to 20 years too long, and by then it is almost too late,” said Gajardo.

While hearing tests may seem like it is all about sound levels, Gajardo says hearing loss is actually lot more serious.

The loss of hearing can seriously affect the brain, to the point some things cannot be fixed. In particular Gajardo says hearing loss can be associated with memory loss.

“A patient with hearing loss will forgot sounds. By the time we get them a hearing aid, the memory of a sound is gone and the hearing aid won’t help that,” said Gajardo.

Many people who have waited too long say people are mumbling, which is why they can’t hear what is being said. Gajardo says that isn’t actually the case.

“Most people don’t actually mumble, we just don’t,” she said. ”Instead what is happening is hearing loss and not being able to desert certain sounds.”

However, with regular testing from an earlier age, hearing loss can potentially delay or even prevent dementia, which Gajardo says is more likely to occur with hearing loss.

She says they will be able to intervene in the hearing loss process before memory loss can become a problem.

Rectifying hearing loss at an early stage could include the use of hearing aids.

“They help the brain to restore normal sound stimulation as well as helping the brain to organize and connect to the sound centre.”

A hearing test can also help to identify a problem. For example, Gajardo says a hearing test can identify if there is a problem in the middle ear, with the tiny bones or the ear drum.

Early detection is key, she says.

“It’s not just about sound level, it’s about brain function,” Gajardo says.

She recommends patients begin to seek regular hearing tests from at least the age of 45. Most people wait too long, which is when greater problems begin to occur.

If you begin to notice hearing problems, such as people mumbling or diminished sound for example, it is recommended to speak to a doctor right away and schedule a hearing test.

“Hearing loss can happen at earlier ages, and there are a lot of things that can affect it. Don’t be ashamed to get a hearing test,” said Gajardo.

She recommends scheduling hearing tests at the same time as eye exams, to keep them regular.

“Are are consistent with our eyes and go for yearly cleanings for our teeth, but our hearing is too often left until it is too late.”