Dr. Mary Swantek

Treat Hearing Loss Sooner Than Later

BY DR. MARY SWANTEK

Now that 2021 is underway, it is a good time to reflect on the previous year, especially the past few months. How did the holidays go? Were you able to follow along with family conversations, or did you feel left out because you couldn’t hear what was being said? Not being able to hear can lead to negative consequences, such as reduced social interactions, depression and cognitive decline.

The first step to determine if you need hearing healthcare is to have your hearing checked by a licensed doctor of audiology. This is a quick and painless office visit to establish a hearing baseline that can be used to compare to future tests. At age 50, you should have an initial hearing test. If it is determined you have hearing loss that can be treated with hearing aids, your audiologist can talk to you about your options. Sometimes, hearing loss is better treated with medication or surgery, at which point you will be referred to an ear, nose and throat physician.

It is important to remember that the sooner your hearing loss is treated, the more successful hearing aids will be. If you are on the fence about having your hearing checked, ask yourself these questions: • Do people seem to mumble or speak in a softer voice than they used to? • Do you feel tired or irritable after a lengthy conversation? • Do you sometimes miss key words in a sentence or frequently ask people to repeat themselves? • When you are in a group or crowded area, is it difficult to follow the conversation? • Do you need to turn the sound up on the TV or radio louder than your family likes? • Is carrying on a telephone conversation difficult? • Has someone close to you mentioned you may have a problem hearing?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to schedule a hearing evaluation.

Dr. Mary Swantek joined North Georgia Audiology in 2019. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Florida and her bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University.