Straight talk about hearing health
Choosing the right provider means prioritizing your whole health—not just your hearing.
Hearing isn’t just about your ears—it’s closely connected to your overall well-being and deserves routine attention.
Sarah Curtis, Au.D., founder of Sounds of Life Hearing Center, sets the record straight on common misunderstandings about hearing health.
Hearing Health is Part of Your Whole Health
Hearing isn’t just about your ears—it’s closely connected to your overall well-being and deserves routine attention. Hearing loss has been identified as a potential risk factor for dementia (Lin et al., 2017), but even more significant are the links to fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. Untreated hearing issues can also impact communication, learning, work, and safety.
Who Should Get a Hearing Evaluation?
Dr. Curtis recommends that adults 50 and older get a baseline hearing test, with follow-ups every two to three years. Those with tinnitus, dizziness, falls, sudden or one-sided hearing loss, noise exposure, chemotherapy or ototoxic medications, or a family history of hearing loss, should be evaluated more frequently
.
Why “Free” Hearing Tests Aren’t Enough
“Free” hearing tests are typically offered as a sales tool, designed to collect just enough information to select and fit a hearing aid. These screenings are not diagnostic and often skip key components like bone conduction, middle ear testing, and speech-in-noise assessment. A full diagnostic evaluation, lasting 45-90 minutes, prioritizes your health and includes case history, otoscopy, tympanometry, comprehensive hearing tests, counseling, and treatment planning.
Audiologist vs. Hearing Aid Specialist
Audiologists are non-medical doctors trained to diagnose hearing and balance disorders, recommend medical referral when needed, and provide comprehensive care. Hearing aid specialists in Ohio are only licensed to test hearing for the purpose of fitting hearing aids.
Choosing the right provider means prioritizing your whole health—not just your hearing.
Sounds of Life Hearing Center is located at 8003 Auburn Rd., Suite 4, in Concord Township. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 440-579-4085 or visit SoundsOfLifeHC.com.
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