As people age, it is natural to be more proactive about health. The multitude of recommended screenings and tests that are linked with certain age milestones simplify making healthy aging a priority. However, for the majority of aging individuals, hearing health is too frequently left out of proactive health planning. For the 37.5 million American adults who report some trouble hearing, there is no time like the present to make hearing health a 2016 healthy aging priority.

This year marks a fresh opportunity to kickstart a healthy lifestyle, and Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, offers five tips to prioritize hearing health:

Get your hearing checked. Annual vision exams are a common occurance, and annual hearing screenings should be too. Getting your hearing checked on a regular basis can help uncover early signs of hearing loss and identify possible treatment solutions.
Protect your hearing. Being proactive about hearing loss starts with adequately protecting your hearing in loud or noisy settings, such as at music concerts or on the job in factories.
Speak up for a loved one. If you have a loved one who demonstrates signs of hearing loss, it is important to voice concern and encourage your loved one to have a hearing test and get more information.
Be mindful of others with hearing loss. Being sensitive to a friend’s or loved one’s hearing loss can make communication easier. If someone has hearing loss, make a point to speak slowly and face the individual so he or she can better understand you.
Remember your hearing changes over time. Sounds that were crisp and clear years ago may not be anymore. This is particularly true of high frequency hearing loss, which is why it is important to regularly monitor hearing for changes and learn about different treatment solutions.

“Many of our older recipients, who either treated their hearing loss later in life or determined their hearing aids were no longer enough, were able to get back sounds they didn’t even know they were missing,” said Patti Trautwein, Au.D., Vice President, Marketing at Cochlear Americas. “Treating hearing loss can improve an individual’s quality of life, as they are more likely to take part in social activities and feel less depressed or sad when they’re able to hear adequately.”

If hearing loss is discovered, early treatment may not only result in improved hearing outcomes, but may also help individuals reengage in their lives and with their friends and family.