About Me

Testing, Testing 123: Phlebotomy Basics

When my mother underwent chemotherapy, we spent a lot of time visiting the phlebotomy lab for blood testing. I was always impressed by how easily the phlebotomist was able to find and puncture a vein to draw blood on the first try. I knew there had to be a method to it, and was astounded by how effortless and painless they made the process. It led me to research a lot about blood tests, from drawing to the actual screening. I've created this site to share what I've learned in the hopes of teaching others. The more you understand, the more control you can have over your own health care.

Search

Latest Posts

Tags

Testing, Testing 123: Phlebotomy Basics

3 Important Ways Hearing Tests Can Make Life Better

by Francisco Arnold

Hearing tests are an important part of maintaining overall health. Unfortunately, some individuals do not get hearing testing until they notice a change in their hearing. It is important to note that hearing loss is usually subtle. The exception would be if there was a traumatic event such as getting hit on the head and rupturing an ear drum.

Routine hearing tests can detect subtle changes in hearing even if an individual does not feel like their hearing has changed. Individuals may have ear conditions that can lead to severe hearing loss later in life. These conditions can be treated if they are detected early in life. Treatment could prevent total hearing loss. Aging, health conditions, medication, and frequent exposure to loud noise can all contribute to hearing loss. The following points highlight a few of the reasons that testing is important.

Better Relationships

Sometimes individuals do not realize that their hearing is interfering with their relationships. They might get frustrated when they do not understand what someone else is saying. The individuals speaking might get frustrated about having to repeat themselves. In some cases, this can go on for years and cause friction. It is also possible for an individual with hearing loss to be unaware that someone is saying something to them if they are not looking at the individual. This individual speaking might mistake this for being ignored. 

Better Sleep

Individuals who have noticed changes in their hearing might be fearful and afraid to talk to their loved ones. The stress may interfere with getting a good night's sleep. Some individuals also suffer from a hearing condition referred to as tinnitus, which causes individuals to hear ringing, buzzing, whistling, or beeping noises. This can be a scary experience and embarrassing for some individuals to tell their loved ones that they are hearing things. The sounds may occur during awake hours or when an individual is trying to go to sleep. The sleep interference may cause mood swings and interfere with work or school performance.

Better Health

Hearing loss has been linked to a variety of health conditions. Identifying hearing loss and its connection to these conditions enables primary care physicians and audiologists to create treatment plans for their patients. Sometimes individuals are unaware that they have conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, but routine hearing testing might reveal warning signs.  

An audiologist is a good resource to use to learn more about the importance of routine hearing tests. The tests can help them to identify hearing loss and determine an appropriate treatment. Some hearing loss can be corrected through surgical means and others through hearing aids. Audiologists might also choose to monitor the degeneration over a period of time before making a recommendation. For more information on the benefits of a hearing test, contact a professional near you.

Share