It’s hard to comprehend but most individuals have gone more than ten years without getting a hearing test.
One of those people is Harper. She reports to her doctor for her annual medical test and has her teeth cleaned every six months. She even replaces her timing belt every 6000 miles. But her hearing test usually gets ignored.
There are many reasons to get hearing assessments, the most notable of which is that it’s often challenging for you to detect the earliest indications of hearing loss without one. Harper’s ears and hearing will remain as healthy as possible if she determines how frequently to get her hearing tested.
So, just how frequently should you get a hearing exam?
If the last time Harper had a hearing assessment was over ten years ago, that’s disconcerting. Or we might think it’s perfectly normal. Her age will largely determine our reaction. 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 make an appointment for annual hearing assessments As you get older, the noise damage you’ve incurred over a lifetime can begin to speed up, which means hearing loss is more likely to start impacting your life. In addition, there could be other health concerns that can impact your hearing.
- For individuals under 50: Once every 3 to 10 years is recommended for hearing exams. Obviously, it’s ok to get a hearing assessment 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 volume levels, you should err on the side of caution and get tested more often. It’s quick, simple, and painless so why wouldn’t you?
Signs you should get your hearing checked
Naturally, your annual (or semi-annual) hearing test isn’t the only good time to schedule an appointment with us. Perhaps you start to notice some signs of hearing loss. And when they do you should make an appointment with us for a hearing assessment.
Here are a few indications that you need a hearing test:
- Having a very difficult time hearing people when talking on the phone, mobile or otherwise.
- Trouble hearing conversations in loud environments.
- Sounds get muffled; it begins to sound as though you always have water in your ears.
- Cranking your tv or car stereo up to excessively high volumes.
- You’re having a difficult time hearing sounds in higher frequencies like consonants.
- You need people to talk louder or repeat what they said.
- You abruptly can’t hear out of one ear.
When the previously mentioned warning signs start to add up, it’s a good indication that the perfect time to get a hearing exam is right now. The sooner you get your hearing checked, the sooner you’ll know what’s happening with your ears.
What are the advantages of hearing testing?
Harper could be late having her hearing test for several reasons.
It might have slipped her mind.
Maybe she’s deliberately avoiding thinking about it. But there are concrete benefits to getting your hearing tested 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 detect. You’ll be in a better position to protect your hearing if you recognize any early hearing loss before it becomes obvious.
Detecting hearing problems before they cause permanent hearing loss is the exact reason somebody like Harper should get tested regularly. Catching your hearing loss early by getting your hearing checked when you should will help you keep your hearing healthier, longer. If you let your hearing go, it can have an impact on your general health.