Believe it or not, it’s been over 10 years since most individuals have had a hearing test.
One of those people is Harper. She schedules a checkup and cleaning with her dentist every six months and she shows up dutifully for her annual medical test. She even changes her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing exam normally gets neglected.
Hearing assessments are important for a wide variety of reasons, early detection of hearing loss being one of the most significant. Harper’s ears and hearing will remain as healthy as possible if she determines how often to get her hearing checked.
So you should get your hearing tested how often?
It’s disconcerting to think that Harper hasn’t had a hearing exam in 10 years. Or perhaps it isn’t. How old she is will largely determine our reaction. Depending on age, recommendations will differ.
- For people over 50: Once annually is the recommended routine for hearing exams in individuals 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 age we’re more likely to be dealing with other health conditions that can have an affect on hearing.
- For individuals under 50: Once every 3 to 10 years is recommended for hearing exams. There’s no harm in getting your ears checked more often, of course! 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 volume levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more often. It’s quick, easy, and painless so why not come in?
You need to have your hearing checked if you experience any of these signs.
Of course, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Perhaps you begin to notice some symptoms of hearing loss. And when they do you need to schedule an appointment with us for a hearing test.
Here are a few indications that you need a hearing test:
- You’re having a difficult time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- Phone conversations are getting more difficult to hear.
- You need people to talk louder or repeat what they said.
- Trouble hearing conversations in loud environments.
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- Sudden hearing loss in one ear.
- Your ears sound muffled like you had water in them.
When the previously mentioned warning signs begin to add up, it’s a good sign that the ideal time to get a hearing exam is right now. The sooner you get your hearing tested, the sooner you’ll know what’s going on with your ears.
How will a hearing test help?
There are plenty of reasons why Harper might be late in having her hearing test.
Maybe she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she’s intentionally avoiding thinking about it. But there are tangible benefits to having your hearing examined per guidelines.
Even if you think your hearing is totally healthy, a hearing exam will help establish a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to identify. If you can catch your hearing loss before it becomes obvious, you can better safeguard it.
Detecting hearing issues before they create permanent hearing loss is the precise reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Your ears will stay healthy longer by getting these regular screenings. Consider the impact of hearing loss on your general health, it’s that important.