It’s difficult to believe but most people have gone over ten years without getting a hearing exam.
Harper is one of them. She reports to her doctor for her yearly medical test and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt replaced every 6000 miles! But she always forgets to schedule her hearing test.
Hearing assessments are important for a multitude 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 knows how often to get her hearing tested.
So, just how often should you have a hearing test?
It’s disconcerting to think that Harper hasn’t taken a hearing exam in 10 years. Or maybe it isn’t. Our reaction will differ depending on how old she is. That’s because we have different guidelines based on age.
- If you are over fifty years old: The general suggestion is that anyone above fifty years old should make an appointment for annual hearing assessments As you get older, 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. Also, as we age we’re more likely to be dealing with other health problems that can have an affect on hearing.
- For people under 50: It’s generally recommended that you take 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 subjecting yourself to loud concert noise or work in a field with high decibel 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 good reason not to do it.
Signs you need to get your hearing assessed
Undoubtedly, there are other times, besides the yearly exam, that you might want to come in for a consultation. Signs of hearing loss might begin to surface. And in those instances, it’s important to contact us and schedule a hearing exam.
Some of the signs that should prompt you to get a hearing exam include:
- You’re having a hard time hearing sounds in higher frequencies such as consonants.
- Asking people to talk slower or repeat themselves during a conversation.
- Sounds become muffled; it begins to sound as if you always have water inside of your ears.
- Turning your tv or car stereo up to extremely high volumes.
- You’re having a difficult time hearing conversations when you’re in a loud setting.
- Phone conversations are becoming harder to hear.
- Sudden hearing loss in one ear.
When the above warning signs start to add up, it’s a good sign that the ideal time to get a hearing test 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?
Harper may be late getting her hearing test for a number of reasons.
Perhaps she hasn’t thought about it.
Maybe she’s purposely avoiding thinking about it. But getting the suggested hearing tests has tangible benefits.
We can establish 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.
Discovering hearing problems before they produce permanent hearing loss is the exact reason someone like Harper should get tested regularly. Your ears will stay healthy longer by having these regular screenings. If you let your hearing go, it can have an affect on your overall health.