It’s hard to comprehend but most people have gone over ten years without getting a hearing exam.
One of those individuals is Harper. She goes to see her doctor for her yearly medical test and gets her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt changed every 6000 miles! But her hearing exam typically gets ignored.
Hearing assessments are essential for a variety of reasons, the most prominent of which is that it’s usually difficult for you to detect the earliest signs of hearing loss without one. Harper’s ears and hearing will remain as healthy as possible if she determines how often to get her hearing tested.
So, just how often should you get a hearing assessment?
It’s alarming to think that Harper hasn’t taken a hearing exam in 10 years. Or we may think it’s perfectly normal. Our reaction will vary depending on how old she is. That’s because we have different recommendations based on age.
- If you are over fifty years of age: The general recommendation is that anybody over fifty years old should schedule yearly hearing evaluations. As you age, the noise damage you’ve sustained over a lifetime can begin to speed up, which means hearing loss is more likely to start impacting your life. In addition, there may be other health concerns that can impact your hearing.
- For people under 50: It’s generally recommended that you get a hearing test once every three to ten years or so. Naturally, it’s fine to get a hearing test more frequently. But once every decade is the bare minimum. If you’ve been exposing 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 often. After all, it’s painless, simple, and there’s really no good reason not to do it.
You should have your hearing checked if you experience any of these signs.
Naturally, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Signs of hearing loss may start to appear. And when they do you should make an appointment with us for a hearing assessment.
Here are a few clues that you need a hearing test:
- You need people to speak louder or repeat themselves.
- Having a tough time hearing consonants (in general, consonants are spoken in a higher wavelength than vowels, and it’s those high-frequency sounds that are often the first to go as hearing loss sets in.)
- Sudden hearing loss in one ear.
- Your ears sound muffled like you had water in them.
- Phone conversations are getting more difficult to hear.
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- Difficulty hearing conversations in loud environments.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs begin to add up. You’ll know what’s going on with your ears as soon as you come in for an evaluation.
How will a hearing test be beneficial?
Harper may be late getting her hearing test for several reasons.
It may have slipped her mind.
Maybe she’s purposely avoiding thinking about it. But there are tangible advantages to getting your hearing tested 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 catch your hearing loss before it becomes noticeable, you can better protect it.
The reason for regular hearing tests is that someone like Harper will be able to identify problems before her hearing is permanently damaged. Catching your hearing loss early by getting your hearing checked when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. Think about the impact of hearing loss on your general health, it’s that important.
