TV always turned up loud? It’s time for a hearing test
IS TAKING care of your hearing getting overlooked? ten million Britons live with some degree of hearing loss. Yet a few simple steps can help you protect your hearing and get the right help to find a solution if affected. Giving up smoking and eating a diet that includes oily fish, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, and vegetables rich in antioxidants, can improve protection. And do ask yourself when you last had your hearing tested. Experts recommend doing this every year. If you think you are suffering from hearing loss, taking action early could certainly help — not doing so has been found to increase your chances of developing dementia. Only around 40 per cent of those who need hearing aids have them. But did you know you can have a free hearing test? Ask yourself whether you often need people to repeat themselves, or do others say that you have the television turned up too loud? If the answers are yes, then it could be the right time for that test. And do seek help if you have hearing aids but think that they are not helping enough or want to check they are working properly. the free hearing tests are by appointment only at the moment and can be booked online or by phone.