It’s difficult to believe but most people have gone more than ten years without having a hearing test.
Harper is one of them. She schedules a checkup and cleaning with her dentist every six months and she shows up dutifully for her yearly medical exam. She even gets her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But she always forgets to schedule her hearing exam.
Hearing assessments are important for a wide variety of reasons, the most prominent of which is that it’s often difficult for you to discover the earliest symptoms of hearing loss without one. Harper’s ears and hearing will stay as healthy as possible if she knows how frequently to get her hearing checked.
So you should have your hearing tested how often?
If the last time Harper had a hearing test was over ten years ago, that’s disconcerting. Or maybe it isn’t. Our reaction will vary depending on her age. That’s because we have different suggestions based on age.
- For people over 50: Once a year is the suggested routine for hearing tests in people over 50 years old. As you get older, the noise damage you’ve sustained over a lifetime can begin to accelerate, which means hearing loss is more likely to start affecting your life. Moreover, as we age we’re more likely to be dealing with other health problems that can have an impact on hearing.
- For individuals under 50: Once every 3 to 10 years is suggested for hearing assessments. There’s no harm in getting your ears tested more often, of course! But once every ten years is the bare minimum. If you’ve been subjecting yourself to loud concert noise or work in a field with high volume levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more often. After all, it’s painless, easy, and there’s really no practical reason not to do it.
You should get your hearing assessed if you experience any of these signs.
Needless to say, your yearly (or semi-annual) hearing assessment isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Symptoms of hearing loss might start to surface. And when they do you should make an appointment with us for a hearing assessment.
Here are some indications that you need a hearing exam:
- You need people to talk louder or repeat what they said.
- Turning your tv or car stereo up to extremely high volumes.
- Having a very difficult time understanding people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- Sounds become muffled; it starts to sound as though you always have water inside of your ears.
- Sudden hearing loss in one ear.
- You’re having a difficult time hearing sounds in higher frequencies such as consonants.
- Difficulty hearing conversations in noisy environments.
When the previously mentioned warning signs start to add up, it’s a good indication that the ideal time to get a hearing exam is right now. You’ll know what’s happening with your ears as soon as you come in for a test.
How will a hearing test help?
Harper may be late getting her hearing checked for a number of reasons.
Maybe she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But there are tangible benefits to having your hearing examined per recommendations.
We can set up a baseline for your hearing, which will help determine any future deviations, even if it’s currently healthy. If you can detect your hearing loss before it becomes noticeable, you can better protect it.
The reason for regular hearing tests is that somebody like Harper will be able to detect issues before her hearing is permanently diminished. Catching your hearing loss early by having your hearing tested when you should will help you keep your ears healthier, longer. If you let your hearing go, it can have an affect on your overall health.