Surprisingly, it’s been more than 10 years since most individuals have had a hearing test.
One of those individuals is Harper. She reports to her doctor for her yearly medical test and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even replaces her timing belt every 6000 miles. But she never remembers to schedule her hearing test.
There are a number of reasons to get hearing exams, the most notable of which is that it’s usually challenging for you to detect the earliest signs of hearing loss without one. Knowing how often she should get a hearing test will help Harper keep her ears (and hearing) healthy for as long as possible.
So, just how frequently should you have a hearing assessment?
If the last time Harper had a hearing assessment was over ten years ago, that’s disconcerting. Or we might think it’s completely normal. Her age will greatly determine our reaction. Depending on age, guidelines will vary.
- For individuals over 50: Once a year is the suggested schedule for hearing exams in people over fifty. As you age, the noise damage you’ve incurred over a lifetime can begin to speed up, which means hearing loss is more likely to start affecting your life. Also, as we get older we’re more likely to have other health issues that can have an impact on hearing.
- If you are less than fifty years old: Once every 3 to 10 years is recommended for hearing assessments. Naturally, it’s ok to get a hearing test more often. But the bare minimum is once every ten years. If you’ve been subjecting yourself to loud concert noise or work in an industry with high decibel levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more frequently. After all, it’s painless, easy, and there’s really no good reason not to do it.
You should have your hearing checked if you notice any of these signs.
Obviously, there are other occasions, besides the annual exam, that you might want to come in for a consultation. Symptoms of hearing loss might start to surface. And in those instances, it’s important to get in touch with us and schedule a hearing exam.
Here are some indications that you need a hearing test:
- Phone conversations are getting more difficult to hear.
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- Having a hard time hearing consonants (in general, consonants are spoken in a higher wavelength than vowels, and it’s those high-frequency sounds that are frequently the first to go as hearing loss sets in.)
- Sounds become muffled; it starts to sound as though you always have water inside of your ears.
- You need people to talk louder or repeat what they said.
- Trouble hearing conversations in loud environments.
- Sudden hearing loss in one ear.
It’s a solid hint that it’s time to get a hearing exam when the above warning signs start to accumulate. The sooner you get your hearing tested, the sooner you’ll know what’s going on with your ears.
What are the benefits of hearing testing?
Harper may be late getting her hearing checked for several reasons.
Maybe she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she’s deliberately avoiding thinking about it. But getting the recommended hearing tests has tangible benefits.
We can set up a baseline for your hearing, which will help determine any future deviations, even if it’s presently healthy. You’ll be in a better position to safeguard your hearing if you detect any early hearing loss before it becomes obvious.
The reason for regular hearing tests is that someone like Harper will be able to identify problems before her hearing is permanently damaged. Detecting your hearing loss early by having your hearing checked when you should will help you keep your ears healthier, longer. If you allow your hearing to go, it can have an affect on your general health.