Believe it or not, it’s been more than 10 years since most people have had a hearing test.
One of those individuals is Harper. She goes to see her doctor for her annual medical exam and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even gets her timing belt replaced every 6000 miles! But she never remembers to schedule her hearing test.
Hearing evaluations are essential for a multitude of reasons, the most prominent of which is that it’s usually challenging for you to detect the earliest indications of hearing loss without one. Determining how frequently 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 get a hearing exam?
It’s alarming to think that Harper hasn’t had a hearing test in 10 years. Or we may think it’s completely normal. Her age will largely determine our reaction. That’s because we have different recommendations based on age.
- For individuals over 50: The general suggestion is that anybody above fifty years old should schedule annual hearing assessments Hearing loss is more likely to have an affect on your life as you age because the noise damage that has accumulated over a lifetime will accelerate that impairment. Plus, there could be other health issues that can impact your hearing.
- For people under 50: It’s generally recommended that you take a hearing test once every three to ten years or so. There’s no harm in getting your ears tested more often, of course! But the bare minimum is once every decade. 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 good reason not to do it.
You need to have your hearing tested if you notice any of these signs.
Undoubtedly, there are other occasions, besides the yearly exam, that you might want to come in and see us. Maybe you begin to notice some symptoms of hearing loss. And in those situations, it’s important to contact us and schedule a hearing assessment.
Here are some clues that you need a hearing exam:
- Your ears sound muffled as if you had water in them.
- Phone conversations are becoming harder to hear.
- Rapid hearing loss in one ear.
- You’re having a hard time making out conversations when you’re in a loud setting.
- The volume on your stereo or television is getting louder and louder.
- You’re having a hard time hearing sounds in higher frequencies such as consonants.
- You need people to talk louder or repeat what they said.
It’s a strong hint that it’s time to get a hearing test when the above warning signs start to add up. You’ll know what’s happening with your ears as soon as you come in for a test.
How will a hearing test be beneficial?
Harper may be late having her hearing checked for several reasons.
Maybe she hasn’t thought about it.
It’s possible that she just doesn’t want to deal with it. But there are tangible advantages to having your hearing examined per recommendations.
Even if you think your hearing is completely healthy, a hearing exam will help establish a baseline reading, which makes deviations in the future easier to detect. 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 somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Your ears will stay healthy longer by having these regular screenings. Consider the impact of hearing loss on your general health, it’s that important.