It’s hard to believe, but June is just around the corner; 2026 is almost halfway over. This time of year always comes with a surge of energy and excitement as we anticipate summer and begin making summer plans. That’s why now is a great time to schedule an ear health check.
Aspects of Ear Health
As you know, hearing is incredibly important. Hearing is a critical part of our ability to connect with others and engage in the world around us, and hearing loss can seriously impact that. It’s estimated that 80% of people who need hearing aids don’t use them, which can have major ripple effects on physical, mental and social health.
There’s another critical piece of ear health: balance. When you think of “ear health,” you may just be thinking about hearing. But there’s a reason our name is Southwestern Hearing & Balance, not just Southwestern Hearing. The inner ear is the seat of our balance system, which keeps us steady on our feet and helps us perceive our position in space. Balance issues can increase fall risk and lead to a loss of independence.
Why This Is a Great Time for an Ear Health Check
As you make your summer plans, you don’t want to miss out on anything due to concerns about not being able to hear or not being able to keep your balance. You want to accept invitations to parties, participate in family barbecues and enjoy the summer weather without fear.
Making an appointment for an ear health check is a great proactive step you can take now to ensure you’re going into summer at the top of your game. If you need to start treatment for hearing loss or a balance disorder, we can get the ball rolling on that before plans really take off.
What’s Involved in an Ear Health Check
At Southwestern Hearing & Balance, we offer both hearing examinations and balance examinations, but since we know that the auditory (hearing) and vestibular (balance) systems are so intimately connected, the two are never fully separated. At a regular hearing examination, we can also detect signs of a balance disorder and make recommendations to help with both.
Signs It’s Time for an Ear Health Check
Consider the following signs that it might be time to get your ear health checked out; if any apply to you, it’s probably time to make an appointment.
- You’ve noticed difficulties with hearing. This could include frequently asking people to repeat themselves, turning the volume up on the television or noticing that sounds seem muffled or “off.” You should get issues like this checked out; don’t assume these difficulties are temporary or that you can live with them.
- You’ve noticed difficulties with listening comprehension. Imagine that you’re in a conversation with someone. You can hear the words they’re saying, but for some reason, the meaning isn’t “sinking in.” This is listening comprehension. This may be especially difficult in conversations with multiple speakers talking at once or in noisy settings, such as restaurants.
- You’ve noticed balance issues. We’ve all experienced a dizzy spell when we’re dehydrated or stand up too fast, but it’s possible that those intermittent dizzy spells could indicate something else. Vertigo—the feeling that your body or the room is spinning out of control—is also an indication of a balance issue.
- It’s been a while since your last check-up. Just like you see your eye doctor, dentist and primary care physician on a regular basis, so too should you be seeing an ear health professional regularly. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that you get your hearing checked every one to three years after you turn 65.
If you meet any of these criteria, call us today to schedule an appointment. We want you to go into the second half of the year energized, confident and safe, and that means being proactive about your health, especially your ear health.